Updated Jan. 9, 11:55 p.m. —
The Sacramento County Coroner’s office has identified 19-year-old Andrew Vanhunnik of Citrus Heights as the man who was shot to death in the parking lot of a Kingswood Drive apartment complex on Dec. 28, 2015.
Lt. David Gutierrez said Vanhunnik’s death brought the 2015 total up to six homicides in the city, compared to three in 2014. He said overall crime statistics in the city are down compared to 2014, with police set to release additional annual crime data this week.
In the most recent homicide on Dec. 28, Sgt. Jason Baldwin told The Sentinel there was no update as of Wednesday this week, although he confirmed that a Citrus Heights police operation in Roseville on Dec. 30 was related to the homicide investigation. He said that operation resulted in two individuals being detained, but for reasons unrelated to the homicide.
[Related: 2015 stats show 19% drop in Citrus Heights DUI crashes, but fatalities rise ]
2015 began with a peaceful January and February in Citrus Heights, but saw three separate homicides in March — along with three arrests.
A March 6 shooting on the 6500 block of Greenback Lane led police to arrest Luther Devon Frazier, then 34, who was charged with the murder of 22-year-old Shaun Blechinger. According to court records, Frazier was arraigned on Mar. 10, 2015, and a trial has been scheduled for Jan. 27, 2016.
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The March 16 death of Kimberly Chittenden on the 7900 block of Rocky Point Court, near Kingswood Drive and Sunrise Boulevard, led police to arrest 48-year-old Allen Bocteemus Franks the following day. According to court records, Franks was charged with murder in the case and was arraigned on March 19, 2015, with a trial date scheduled for March 14, 2016.
The third homicide in March led to the arrest of William Patrick Hendrickson, who was charged with murder for the March 26 death of his 32-year-old girlfriend, Sarah Priess, on the 7500 block of Cook Avenue, near Auburn Boulevard. Police said Hendrickson was arrested after turning himself in the same day.
A Sacramento Bee story later detailed Priess’ life and “chaotic” relationship with Hendrickson, with the couple having a history of domestic violence. According to court records, Hendrickson was arraigned on Mar. 30, 2015 and a settlement conference has been scheduled for Jan. 22, 2016.
Police said the suspects and victims were known by each other in all three March homicide incidents, and no outstanding suspects are wanted in any of the cases.
[Related: Police make arrest in 3rd Citrus Heights homicide in March]
In the May 30 death of 42-year-old John Rohrer, police arrested Susan Rohrer, 38, who was charged with involuntary manslaughter. Police said in a May news release that officers had responded to a single gunshot reportedly coming from inside a residence on the 6000 block of Cheshire Way, near the Sunrise Marketplace at Birdcage, and found the man unresponsive, “with a gunshot wound to his upper body.” Police released limited details, but said everyone at the residence was cooperative with officers. According to court records, Susan plead no contest and was sentenced on Nov. 13, 2015, with a 180-day custody period and five years parole.
The fifth homicide of the year involved officers responding to a June 22 domestic violence call at apartments on the 7500 block of Greenback Lane. 35-year-old Eduardo Reyes was shot and killed after police said he fired a gun at officers, and police returned fire. The four officers who fired their weapons in the incident were placed on standard administrative leave.
The Sentinel submitted a request on Wednesday for details on the outcome of the June 22 police investigation. Police said a response would be provided this week, along with annual crime data comparing 2015 and 2014 in Citrus Heights.
Update: For more crime statistics, see story “Citrus Heights Police: crime reduced by 5% in 2015″]
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