El Centro man murdered outside his home

A man is behind bars Wednesday after police said he allegedly murdered his neighbor at a studio complex in El Centro.

Earlier this week, police responded to a call about a fight near the parking lot of a studio complex and a restaurant. Police found a man lying on the ground.

Police said the man on the ground was 58-year-old Heriberto Gonzalez Moreno who had suffered from blunt force trauma to the head and stab wounds to the neck. As law enforcement arrived, the suspect 26-year-old Santos Velazquez reappeared.

Commander Aaron Reel, of the El Centro Police Department ( ECPD ), said, ” As the officer attempted to render aid the suspect appeared from a nearby motel room chased the witness and the officer, threw an object at the officer and proceeded to flee. ”

ECPD patrol canine, Max, was used to capture Velazquez.

Reel said, ” He deployed his dog. The dog subdued the subject and he was taken into custody. ”

Sean McDaniel, one of the tenants in the studio complex, was still in shock to know that one of his neighbors was allegedly murdered.

McDaniel said, ” I was hearing about some big fight. Originally I just saw a fight. That was what their description of what happened. One of my neighbors. And I didn’t know to that degree of how big of a fight it got. ”

Gabriel Fimbres has lived in the complex for over a year and said the area is usually safe.

” Yeah, it is out of the norm. It’s usually quiet you know. So when I heard about this pretty you know out of the ordinary, ” said Fimbres .

Moreno later died at the hospital.

Commander Reel said, ” They attempted to stabilize the patient with the intent to transport him out to a trauma center. But unfortunately, his injuries were too severe. And he did not survive. ”

Velazquez is facing serious charges.

” Mr. Velazquez is being charged with murder, ” said Commander Reel.

Velazquez was booked into the Imperial County Jail with a bail of $1,000,000.