Third arrest made in weekend Yuba City homicide

Yuba City police arrested a third person on Tuesday in connection with the weekend shooting death of Michael Suarez on Del Monte Avenue.

Roberto Zamudio Urquidez, 54, was booked into the Sutter County Jail on suspicion of being an accessory to murder. Bail is set at $5 million.

Police remained tight-lipped on Wednesday on details of the investigation, but said they expect more arrests.

"The potential for more arrests similar to this one is strong," police spokeswoman Shawna Pavey said.

Suarez, 26, was found dead at his home early Saturday at 157 Del Monte Ave. He had been shot multiple times.

An autopsy conducted Monday concluded Suarez died of multiple gunshot wounds, according to Lt. James Casner of the Sutter County Coroner's Office.

However, citing the ongoing investigation, authorities declined to comment on the number and location of the fatal wounds.

Police said the likelihood of gang involvement in Suarez's death is "very high."

Within hours of Suarez's death, police arrested his roommates, Jedidiah Jose Salazar, 24, and Maria Christina Velasco, 22. However, police released both from custody without charges the following day.

Officers have not commented on the decision to release Salazar and Velasco and also declined to say whether they remain under investigation.

Police have not said what role they believe each may have played in the death, nor who they believe may have pulled the trigger.

Neighbors and witnesses described a large party at the home in the hours leading up the shooting. The party apparently boiled over into a street brawl involving around 20 people, but it is not clear if anybody was injured.

Urquidez is scheduled for arraignment today in Sutter County Superior Court.

CONTACT Rob Parsons at rparsons@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4785. Find him on Facebook at /ADcrimebeat or on Twitter at @ADcrimebeat.