Tulare police arrest fourth suspect in connection with 18-year-old's murder

Sunday, September 5, 2021
TULARE, Calif. (KFSN) -- Tulare police have arrested an 18-year-old man in connection with the murder of another 18-year-old man earlier this year.

Investigators and SWAT officers took Ruben Abila into custody on Monday morning.
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Abila faces murder charges in the deadly shooting of Nalen Peterson, who was found in a car with gunshot wounds near North West St. and West Prosperity Ave. on June 5.

Less than a week later, police arrested three young women in connection with the homicide - 19-year-old Stephanie Esqueda, of San Diego, 20-year-old Jacquelyn Hernandez of Tulare, and 21-year-old Alyssa Soto of Tulare.

However, they said they were still looking for a fourth suspect and asked for the public's help. That search ended nearly three months later with Abila's arrest on Monday.
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Peterson's death marked the fourth homicide of the year in Tulare.

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