More than two years after a 21-year-old Nampa man was shot and killed in the early morning hours of February 10, 2024, Nampa Police Department detectives have arrested two suspects on first-degree murder charges, capping a lengthy investigation that department officials called the product of “relentless follow-up.”
Arrests Made in Pre-Dawn Operation
Officers executed two arrest warrants on Wednesday without incident. Elias Romeo Cervantes, 23, was taken into custody at approximately 4:30 a.m. near the 10000 block of Cherry Lane. Hours later, at 7:30 a.m., officers arrested Gustavo Sanchez Jr., 20, of Nampa, in the 300 block of 15th Avenue North. Both men were booked into the Canyon County jail facing charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder.
The charges stem from the death of Nampa resident Fabion Delagarza, who was found deceased in the street near the 2000 block of 5th Street North after multiple 911 callers reported gunshots in the area. A second victim was wounded in the same incident, which gave rise to the attempted murder charges against both defendants.
Prior Charges Dismissed, Investigation Continued
This was not the first time Cervantes and Sanchez faced legal scrutiny over the shooting. Both men had been arrested in 2024 on accessory to murder charges, but the Canyon County Prosecutor’s Office later dismissed those charges while the investigation remained open. Authorities continued building their case, ultimately identifying the two as the primary suspects in Delagarza’s homicide.
Nampa Police Sgt. Brad Barnum credited the department’s Violent Crimes Unit for driving the case forward. “These arrests are the result of hard work, dedication, and relentless follow-up,” Barnum said in a statement. He added that the coordinated effort demonstrated “the dedication these men and women display daily, often while the rest of the city sleeps.”
Impact on Canyon County Residents
The arrest brings a measure of resolution to a case that had remained open for well over two years in Nampa, Canyon County’s largest city. Violent crime investigations of this duration place sustained demands on law enforcement resources, and the outcome reflects the Nampa PD Violent Crimes Unit’s commitment to pursuing cases even when initial charges do not hold. For the Delagarza family and the broader Nampa community, the arrests represent a significant step toward accountability. For broader statewide public safety coverage, visit Idaho News.
What Comes Next
Cervantes and Sanchez remain in Canyon County jail. Both face charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder, which carry severe penalties under Idaho law. The cases will now move through the Canyon County court system, where prosecutors will determine next steps including formal arraignment and potential trial proceedings. No additional details about a court schedule were immediately available.