The Public Information Office assists members of the media in gathering information and reporting on news events that impact the residents and visitors of the City of Sacramento. Because the media is a valuable resource to keep the public informed as to the Department's activities, the Public Information Office is a central location from which members of the media could obtain information regarding the various newsworthy events in which the Department had played a part.
For all media inquiries and questions, please contact the Public Information Office by phone (916) 808-0808 or email PIO@pd.cityofsacramento.org.
UPDATE - Thanks to the outstanding work of our patrol officers, crime scene investigators, and detectives, the Sacramento Police Department is pleased to announce the arrest of 51-year-old Ricardo Barraza of Sacramento in connection with this homicide. Barraza was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on homicide related charges on the evening of July 2, 2026. This arrest reflects the dedication and collaborative efforts of our personnel, as well as the critical role our community plays in public safety.
UPDATE - Thanks to the dedicated work of our Major Collision Investigators, the Sacramento Police Department is proud to announce the identification and arrest of the suspect in this case. This arrest, made less than 24 hours after the incident, is the result of the coordinated efforts of responding officers, crime scene investigators who processed the scene, and detectives who worked tirelessly, including an approximately four-hour neighborhood canvass. As a result of this work, 30-year-old Miracle Merritt of Sacramento was located and arrested on felony hit-and-run and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter charges.
UPDATE - Thanks to the outstanding work of our homicide detectives, 44-year-old Laron Fort of Sacramento was identified as the suspect in this case. Special thanks to our Career Criminal Apprehension Team (CCAT), Violent Crime Reduction Team (VCRT), and SWAT who assisted in bringing Fort into custody. Fort has been booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on homicide related charges.
UPDATE - Through unwavering follow-up and investigative efforts of our homicide detectives, 19-year-old Humberto Palacios of Sacramento was identified as a suspect in this case. With the coordinated efforts of our homicide detectives, Career Criminal Apprehension Team (CCAT), Violent Crime Reduction Team (VCRT), Problem-Oriented Policing Team (POP), and SWAT, Palacios was taken into custody. Palacios has been booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on homicide related charges.
UPDATE - Through the continued and diligent efforts of our investigators, a suspect was identified in this homicide investigation. Today, 27-year-old Ray Howard of Sacramento was arrested on homicide and firearm-related charges. Howard was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail.
UPDATE - UPDATE: Through continued investigation into this case, investigators secured a homicide arrest warrant for an additional suspect. A 17-year-old male was taken into custody on the warrant and booked into Juvenile Hall. Thanks to all of the officers and specialty units that worked to safely apprehend this suspect and bring him into custody. Through the diligent work of our investigators, a 17-year-old male was identified as a suspect in this case. He was taken into custody on homicide-related charges and booked into Juvenile Hall. Thank you to all of the officers and specialty units who worked together to safely apprehend this suspect.
UPDATE - Thanks to the diligent work of our homicide detectives, 20-year-old Juan Lara was identified as a suspect in this case. Thanks to all the specialty units who assisted in the apprehension of Lara. Lara was subsequently booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on homicide-related charges.