Homicide — Santa Maria, CA — reported 2026-07-10

SUMMARY

Abel Santiago has been charged with murder and other crimes in connection with the shooting death of Margarito Ventura in Santa Maria, CA.

KEY FACTS

  • Incident type: Homicide
  • Location: Santa Maria, CA
  • Date reported: 2026-07-10
  • Suspect: male, age 23
  • Victim(s): 1 (Margarito Ventura)
  • Status: charged

REPORTED DETAILS

  • The victim was lured to a remote location and executed by Abel Santiago and his brother Francisco Santiago on November 13, 2025.
  • Abel Santiago and his brother drove the victim through Santa Maria in a route that avoided more than 150 license-plate-reading cameras.
  • The victim was shot several times at Suey Creek Road, and then the brothers fled to Nipomo where they disposed of a second cell phone.
  • A passerby found the victim in the roadway after the brothers had fled and attempted to render aid, but the victim died of his wounds at the scene.