Two arrested in Modesto for downtown killing as third suspect may have fled to Mexico
- Akeem Mohammed El-Haji was found dead with multiple stab wounds on December 8, 2024.
- Two suspects were arrested in Watsonville, facing murder charges, while a third suspect is believed to have fled to Mexico.
- The attack was reportedly motivated by a previous assault involving the suspects and the victim.
In Modesto, California, on December 8, 2024, Akeem Mohammed El-Haji was found with multiple stab wounds near 9th and D Streets, leading to an investigation by local detectives. The violent incident was linked to an altercation that occurred weeks before the incident, where an acquaintance of El-Haji claimed that he had been assaulted by him. This claim prompted the acquaintance to enlist the help of two others to confront and attack El-Haji. Two of the suspects, Anahys Cepetillo-Chable, 37, and Julio Martinez-Capetillo, 21, were arrested in Watsonville, California, on December 12, 2024. Both are facing serious charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder. A third suspect, Cristofer Vazquez-Villanueva, 28, is believed to have fled to Mexico and is also facing the same charges. The investigation revealed that El-Haji was specifically targeted due to his prior assault on the acquaintance. The Modesto police have been actively conducting research to find the remaining suspect and gather evidence pertinent to the case, highlighting the seriousness of street violence and its impacts on communities. The rapid development of these events portrays a grim picture of how personal conflicts can escalate into deadly encounters, with authorities urging communities to seek peaceful resolutions to disputes.