Pair Arrested in Connection to Fairfield Teen's Murder

Fairfield police arrested two Fairfield residents Tuesday in Modesto in connection with a shooting homicide in Fairfield in February.

James Alexander Cruz, 20, was arrested on suspicion of killing Aaron Malave, 19, of Fairfield, outside a residence in the 1000 block of Wood Hollow Drive on Feb. 25, and Gisela Rodriguez, 19, was arrested on suspicion of being an accessory to murder.

Modesto police were investigating Cruz and Rodriguez in connection with a different crime when they determined the pair were wanted for questioning about the Fairfield murder, Fairfield police Sgt. Matt Bloesch said.

Modesto police then contacted Fairfield police.

Fairfield police responded around 11:10 p.m. on Feb. 25 to the NorthBay Medical Center in Fairfield where Malave was taken by a juvenile female and adult male after the shooting, police said.

Malave died at the hospital, and the juvenile girl and male adult are considered witnesses to the murder, police said.

Police received reports of gunfire in the 1000 block if Wood Hollow Circle about eight minutes before Malave arrived at the hospital.

Police contacted six adults and a juvenile at the residence but made no arrests, Bloesch said.

A complaint was filed against Crux on June 2 in Solano County Superior Court.

--City News Service, photo via Shutterstock