In the early hours of July 22, 2023, around 1 a.m., deputies from the Tulare County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of a shooting in the 200 block of Road 148 in Delano, California. Upon arrival, they discovered 30-year-old Francisco Valencia, a resident of Delano, deceased from gunshot wounds.
Following an extensive investigation, authorities identified 32-year-old Martinez Lombera of Earlimart as the primary suspect in Valencia's murder.
On October 12, 2023, Lombera was apprehended in Delano after a brief pursuit involving Delano Police Officers. He was subsequently transferred to the custody of the Tulare County Sheriff's Office.
Notably, Lombera was already on Sheriff Boudreaux’s Top Ten Most Wanted List due to a kidnapping incident in 2022. Following his arrest, he was held without bail, facing charges related to both the prior kidnapping case and the recent murder of Francisco Valencia.
The Tulare County Sheriff's Office continues to seek information related to this case. Individuals with relevant details are encouraged to contact the Sheriff's Office at (559) 733-6218 or provide information anonymously through the TipNow Program at (559) 725-4194 or via email at [email protected].
