Cruz David Avalos, 23, was fatally shot on October 23, 2024, at about 1:15 p.m. while driving near 10th Avenue and Lacey Boulevard in Hanford, California. He was returning to work from lunch when a black Nissan Versa pulled alongside his vehicle and a passenger fired multiple shots. Avalos, who worked as an auto body paint prepper and detailer at Borba’s Auto Body Inc., was taken to a local hospital and later died of his injuries.

The Hanford Police Department identified 19-year-old Roman Perdue as the suspected shooter and 19-year-old Jordan Sanchez as the driver. Perdue was arrested October 28 and released when charges were not immediately filed; subsequent investigation produced arrest warrants for both men. Sanchez was arrested in Southern California on November 13, and Perdue was located near Tempe, Arizona, and taken into custody on November 20. Both were extradited to Kings County and booked into the Kings County Jail on homicide charges.

Family and friends remember Avalos as a vibrant son and brother who loved sports, cars, and making people laugh; funeral services were held November 13, 2024, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hanford. Does anyone who knew Cruz or who saw activity near 10th and Lacey on October 23 have information that could help the investigation?