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The Tucson Police Department has made a series of arrests related to the fatal shooting of 31-year-old Brandon Hernandez from early-September 2023.
After processing initial interviews and several items of forensic evidence, detectives identified 17-year-old Lionel Anthony Lopez as a suspect. On November 16th, detectives responded to the Pima County Jail, where Lopez was already being held on unrelated charges, and added one count of 1st Degree Murder. His bond has been set at $1,025,000.
Throughout the investigation, Homicide Detectives worked closely with Operations Division West/Community Response Team (ODW/CRT). Detectives continued to pursue leads while ODW/CRT conducted several patrols in the area of the homicide. Through their efforts, investigators learned that Lionel Lopez and two other suspects had planned to confront the victim. During the confrontation, Brandon Hernandez was shot multiple times.
The two additional suspects were identified as 35-year-old Karina Valenzuela-Egurrola and 34-year-old Ryan Michael Maffetone. Both Maffetone and Valenzuela were located and arrested by ODW/CRT on November 16, 2023. Detectives briefly contacted them and charged them each with 1st Degree Murder. All three suspects are currently being held in the Pima County Jail and detectives are finalizing their investigation. A booking photo for Lopez is not available. The original media release is listed below.
Karina Valenzuela-Egurrola
Ryan Michael Maffetone
________________Sergeant David Fritsch - September 10, 2023____________
On September 10, 2023, shortly before 12:15 a.m., officers from Operations Division West and personnel from the Tucson Fire Department responded to the area of N. 1st Avenue and E. Wetmore Road for reports of a male who was believed to have been shot. Officers arrived on scene and located an adult male with obvious signs of gunshot trauma. Officers began to render aid until TFD personnel took over the life-saving measures. Despite these efforts, the male was pronounced deceased at the scene. He has been identified as 31-year-old Brandon Hernandez. Next of kin has been notified of his passing.
Detectives from the Homicide Unit responded to the scene to continue the investigation. Detectives are actively pursuing leads and are working on identifying who was involved in the shooting. Investigators are asking anyone with information to call 9-1-1 or 88-CRIME. Details remain limited at this time and more information will be released as it becomes available.
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