Nalen Rylie Peterson, an 18-year-old from Tulare, California, tragically lost his life on June 5, 2021. He was found with multiple gunshot wounds inside a vehicle near North West Street and West Prosperity Avenue in Tulare. Despite the immediate efforts of first responders, Peterson succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The incident was promptly classified as a homicide, prompting an extensive investigation by the Tulare Police Department.
In the days following Peterson's death,
detectives conducted numerous interviews, reviewed physical and digital evidence, and identified a suspect vehicle, a black Jeep Wrangler. This led to the arrest of three women: Stephanie Esqueda, 19, from San Diego; Jacquelyn Hernandez, 20, from Tulare; and Alyssa Soto, 21, also from Tulare. These women were believed to be gang members, although it was not immediately clear if the shooting was gang-related. Hernandez and Soto were charged with being accessories after the fact and were held at the Tulare County Pretrial Facility with bail set at $500,000 each. Esqueda's status was not immediately clear.
The investigation continued, and on September 5, 2021, Tulare police arrested an 18-year-old man named Ruben Abila. He was charged with murder in connection with Peterson's death. Abila's arrest marked a significant development in the case, as he was believed to be the primary suspect in the shooting. The arrests of Esqueda, Hernandez, and Soto were crucial in leading investigators to Abila, who was taken into custody by SWAT officers.
Peterson's death was one of several homicides in Tulare that year, highlighting ongoing concerns about violence in the community. The case drew significant attention, and the Tulare Police Department urged anyone with additional information to come forward to aid in the investigation. The arrests and subsequent charges against the suspects underscored the department's commitment to seeking justice for Peterson and his family.
