Santa Maria resident Anthony San Juan was shot and killed in the Elmer’s parking lot in Orcutt on March 4. Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office deputies have arrested spouses Jonathan Highley and Mayra Perez on suspicion of murder and accessory to murder, respectively.
San Juan’s wife of nearly 15 years, Sara, set up a crowdfunding site through GoFundMe on March 5 with the goal of raising $20,000 to help support her and Anthony’s two children. As of press time on March 7, donors had contributed about $77,000 to the fund.
“Tony will be greatly missed and was loved by many for his character, attitude, personality, and friendships,” the GoFundMe page stated. “Tony’s remembrance is a testament to his life and the many friends, family, and people he touched throughout his life.”
Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kelly Hoover said the Sheriff’s Office doesn’t suspect the murder was gang affiliated, and officers have yet to identify a connection between San Juan and Highley or a motive for the murder.
Hoover told the Sun that Highley had been allegedly involved in an altercation with several people prior to the shooting.
“There’s no information to indicate that the victim was in any way involved,” she said.
Highley left the parking lot following the altercation, then came back, at which point San Juan was in the parking lot. That’s when Highley allegedly shot San Juan, Hoover said.
Later in the morning of March 4, sheriff’s deputies arrested Highley as he was leaving his residence with Perez and their four children, according to a press release from the Sheriff’s Office.
Highley was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail on suspicion of murder, preventing or dissuading a witness by force or threat, assault with a firearm on a person, threatening a crime with intent to terrorize, and discharge of a firearm in commitment with a felony causing death.
Hoover said the Sheriff’s Office couldn’t release further information on the potential charges due to an ongoing investigation.
Deputies also arrested Perez because she attempted to conceal her husband from authorities, Hoover said.
Child Protective Services took custody of Highley and Perez’s four children, according to the press release.
This article appears in Mar 9-16, 2017.