Four men have been arrested in connection with the murder of Ryan Cunningham, who was killed at a pizza restaurant in Chula Vista, California, more than 20 years ago. The 22-year-old was attacked on the patio of La Bella's Pizza Garden on March 20, 2004, by a group of men wielding a variety of weapons, according to the San Diego County District Attorney's Office.
One of the suspects stabbed Cunningham before the group fled the scene in two vehicles. Cunningham was taken to hospital but died from his injuries. The suspects have been identified as Jose Roque-Garcia, 50; Carlos Herrera, 42; Marco Herrera, 41; and Franco Dominguez, 43. They are scheduled to appear in court in downtown San Diego on Tuesday.
Roque-Garcia was already in custody on a separate murder case out of South Bay and has been held since December. Police have not disclosed what new evidence led to the arrests. The Chula Vista Police Department had been searching for the suspects since the killing and appealed for public help last year, noting that several private events, including a baby shower, were taking place at the restaurant at the time, suggesting multiple witnesses.
District Attorney Summer Stephan previously stated, 'It’s clear that there are witnesses that know who stabbed the victim to death or have other valuable information... but maybe they are afraid to come forward or simply don’t want to be involved.' Chula Vista is located about 16 miles south of San Diego.
