Fresno man arrested on suspicion of murdering Sanger teen. She was a half-mile from home

Sanger police have arrested a man they believe is responsible for the shooting death of Maria Guadalupe Garcia Gaspar in December.

Garcia Gaspar was shot in the back of the neck and died on the street less than a half-mile from her home.

She had just turned 17.

Police at the time said there were two suspects involved in the homicide. On Wednesday, police identified the man responsible for Garcia Gaspar’s death as 20-year-old Joseph Hernandez of Fresno.

Hernandez, police said, is an active gang member with “an extensive criminal history.

He was arrested at a traffic stop after an officer recognized Hernandez’s car near Newmark and Annadale avenues.

He was booked into Fresno County Jail on multiple felony charges, including suspicion of murder.

It’s the second murder investigation arrest for the Sanger Police Department this week.

On Monday, officers arrested a 40-year-old gang member believe to be responsible for the shooting death of an 18-year-old in February.