Ismael Zachery Martinez, 27, was found fatally shot in a windswept field south of Clovis on the afternoon of Friday, December 16, 2022. Deputies were dispatched around 2:30 p.m. to the intersection of Curry Roads K and 8, near the old Swift plant, where they discovered his body and confirmed he had been shot. Investigators said it was believed Martinez was not shot where he was found, suggesting he had been moved to the field before discovery.

Within days the Curry County Sheriff’s Office named four persons of interest: Cesar Rascon-Chacon, 23; Mi’Linda Gallegos, 20; Veronica Galvan, 46; and Eduardo Blanco. Rascon-Chacon and Gallegos were quickly apprehended over the weekend on parole or probation violations. By December 21, 2022, Rascon-Chacon had been arrested and charged with first-degree murder, along with counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and tampering with evidence; officials noted he was already in custody on a supervision violation. Blanco was later located, interviewed, and released, and authorities said additional arrests could follow as the Major Crimes Unit continued the investigation.

Did anyone in the Clovis area see Ismael Martinez or his vehicle in the days before December 16, 2022?