LOS BANOS, CA (October 29, 2025) — The Los Banos Police Department has announced the arrest of 41-year-old Ismael Hernandez, a Los Banos resident, in connection with a shooting that occurred earlier this month on North Santa Rita Street.
According to the department’s official report, officers responded around 4:50 a.m. on October 20 to the 100 block of N. Santa Rita Street after receiving a report of gunfire. Responding officers found physical evidence confirming a shooting had taken place and turned the case over to the Investigations Division for follow-up.
Detectives later identified Hernandez as the primary suspect. On October 21 at about 1:15 p.m., members of the LBPD Gang Unit located and arrested him in the 1100 block of G Street. Police said Hernandez was carrying a loaded, concealed firearm at the time of his arrest.
Hernandez was booked into the Los Banos Police Department Jail on charges of assault with a firearm and other firearm-related offenses. The following day, October 22, investigators served two residential search warrants tied to the case — one in the 100 block of Kiwi Court and another in the 500 block of Merlot Court — where they recovered additional evidence linking Hernandez to the shooting.
Police said Hernandez remains in custody on $414,000 bail. Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact Detective Miguel Barrera at (209) 827-7070 ext. 2531 or via email at [email protected].
LBPD commended the efforts of its Patrol, Gang Unit, and Investigations Division for their coordinated work that led to the arrest.
