Suspect identified in shooting death east of Tulare, sheriff's office says

The Tulare County Sheriff's Department identified a man they think is responsible for another man's death earlier in the week near Tulare.

Adam Hernandez was shot and killed around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.

On Friday, the sheriff's department identified the suspect as Gerardo Vivanco Lopez, 38, of Tulare. The sheriff's department said several search warrants have been served at homes in the Tulare area in connection to the homicide on Road 140 and Avenue 228 near Tulare.

Lopez is at large, the department said. The sheriff's department said he may be driving a white 2005 Chevrolet van with the license plate: 8Y31854. Lopez is considered armed and dangerous following the shooting death of Hernandez, 41.

When deputies arrived to the scene May 30 at Avenue 228 and Road 140, paramedics performed CPR Hernandez. He was then taken to the hospital and later died. An autopsy on Thursday showed Hernandez was shot multiple times.

Investigators say Hernandez and his son were sitting inside a truck and, for unknown reasons, they got out and an argument took place with an unknown number of suspects. Hernandez was later shot.

On Tuesday, June 5, the sheriff's office said Lopez is on the Sheriff's Top 10 Most Wanted Criminals in Hiding.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting is asked to call the Violent Crimes Unit at 559-733-6218.

This story has been updated with new information.

This story was originally published May 30, 2018 at 9:51 AM with the headline "Suspect identified in shooting death east of Tulare, sheriff's office says."