***UPDATE*** Francisco Zermeno has been booked into the Fresno County Jail on one charge of murder.
On May 11th, Zermeno, turned himself in at the Corning Police Department (north of Sacramento).
The 30-year-old is currently being held in the Tehama County Jail (Red Bluff, CA). During the time Fresno County Sheriff’s detectives were searching for Zermeno, they developed information that identified him as a suspect.
Zermeno had been wanted for questioning regarding the death of his friend, Hugo Gonzalez Vargas. Detectives were unable to locate Zermeno following Vargas’ death and they developed information that he may be headed toward the state of Washington or Mexico to visit family.
On May 7th, shortly after 2:00 am, Cal Fire personnel responded to a medical call at 12139 N. Russell Ave. in Firebaugh. Firefighters discovered the 33-year-old Vargas lying on the ground. A closer examination revealed he had been shot and he later died at the scene.
Fresno County Sheriff’s homicide detectives were called out to the ranch to investigate. They interviewed witnesses to try and establish a motive and identify possible suspects.
This is the third homicide of the year in Fresno County.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to the Sheriff’s Office at (559) 600-3111 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP (7867).
