Murder Charge Filed Against Man Accused Of Fatally Stabbing Teen

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — A man extradited to the U.S. from Mexico Monday will face a second-degree murder charge in connection with the stabbing of a Santa Cruz teenager in 2009.

Paulo Ramirez Luna, 34, was arrested in March 9 and is in custody awaiting his arraignment, the Santa Cruz County DA's Office announced Monday in a news release. He is in custody at Santa Cruz County Jail in lieu of $1 million bond, jail records show.

He is charged with participating in the slaying of Tyler Tenorio, 16, a Santa Cruz High School junior, on Oct. 16, 2009. Tenorio was remembered in his obituary as a genuine friend and gifted artist who led an active lifestyle.

The case has been under investigation ever since.

The drawn-out case was one that some might consider "stale and cold," said Santa Cruz Police Chief Andrew Mills at a Tuesday afternoon news conference. He thanked District Attorney Jeff Rosell for leading a "relentless pursuit of justice."

"We want our community to be reassured that we will do everything in our power to make sure that these cases are not forgotten, that victims are not left alone," Mills said.

Luna is the fifth and final suspect arrested in connection with the stabbing. All faced murder charges, Rosell said.

Luna is believed to be a "direct, principal participant" in the stabbing, Rosell said, declining to elaborate further pending the ongoing case.

Tenorio was stabbed to death by multiple people outside of a convenience store near Chestnut and Laurel streets after he and his friends got into an argument with Sureño gang members, Rosell said. Tenorio was pronounced dead at the scene, despite lifesaving attempts from first responders.

Santa Cruz Police Department investigators determined Luna, a Mexican citizen, was a suspect in the killing. He fled to Mexico after Tenorio's death, as did Ivan Tapia Ramirez, who was also facing charges in connection with the attack, prosecutors said.

Eighteen months ago, Ramirez was apprehended and extradited. And on Monday, the DA's Office worked with U.S. and Mexican officials to capture and extradite Luna.

"I spoke to you and told you at that time that we would not rest, none of us would rest, until the other perpetrator was brought to justice," Rosell said. "And that has happened, I'm pleased to inform you today."

The U.S. Marshals Office worked with local and Mexican law enforcement agencies and Mexican police to facilitate the extradition of Luna, said Donald O'Keefe, U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of California.

This is the seventh murder suspect Santa Cruz County law enforcement have sought to have extradited to the U.S. from Mexico since 2013, Rosell said.

Tips and subsequent law enforcement investigations led to Luna's arrest, Rosell said. He was apparently making shoes and living with his mother, who answered the door when officials came to arrest him.

Luna is set to appear in court Wednesday.