Maria Guadalupe Garcia Gaspar was a 17-year-old Kings River High School student who died from a gunshot wound on December 12, 2021, in Sanger, California. The shooting happened early morning near Almond Avenue and I Street, close to the Family Worship Center. Officers and EMS found Maria at the scene and she was pronounced dead there. Her death was the first homicide in Sanger in 16 months, and the school district expressed deep sorrow and offered support to her family and fellow students.

Investigators later identified 20-year-old Joseph Hernandez as a suspect; he was arrested during a traffic stop in April 2022 and booked on multiple felony charges. Police said an argument led to the shooting but did not release further details. Authorities also confirmed Maria had no ties to gang activity. Anyone with information about what happened that morning is asked to come forward.