On Nov. 1, Lompoc Police Department detectives announced they are reopening the homicide case of 25-year-old Michael Jason Spradling, who was shot to death in 2007.
Police officers responded to a 911 call the evening of June 11, 2007, where they found Spradling lying in an alley in the 400 block of North M Street suffering from serious gunshot wounds to the head and body. He was transported to Cottage Hospital where he later died.
Detective Chip Arias told the Sun the department is reopening the case based on new information from recent interviews with individuals close to the investigation. The murder is believed to be gang-related. Arias said Spradling was a known gang member with a criminal record.
People with any information regarding the case are encouraged to call Arias at 875-8159 or e-mail him at aarias@ci.lompoc.ca.us.
This article appears in Nov 3-9, 2011.
