Mauro Aguilar, 32, of Delano was killed in a gang-related shootout at the Ducor Handy Market gas station in Ducor on January 27, 2022, around 3:45 p.m. Rival Northern and Southern gang members arrived in two vehicles, a red Nissan Altima and a white Chevrolet Malibu, and individuals from both cars immediately began exchanging gunfire.

The shooting left Aguilar and 20-year-old Francisco Rodriguez of Ducor dead and wounded three others: Jose Palomo, 35, of Delano; a 17-year-old boy from Delano; and 21-year-old Jaan Maciel of Ducor. All five people involved were armed and took part in the exchange. The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office responded and began an investigation.

Several arrests followed. Jose Palomo and the 17-year-old were booked for Rodriguez’s murder. Jaan Maciel was initially treated as a suspect but later described as a victim and was also arrested and charged with Aguilar’s murder. Kevin Serrano, 21, of Ducor, was arrested and booked on homicide charges as an active participant. The suspects were held without bail and faced murder charges; the sheriff’s office asked anyone with information to come forward.

Does anyone have additional information about who was in the two vehicles or what led to the encounter at the gas station?