DNA Evidence Results in Suspect Arrest in 2024 Visalia Homicide Case
VISALIA, CA – On January 21, 2024, at approximately 3:48 p.m., officers with the Visalia Police Department responded to the 900 block of East Tulare Avenue following a report of an physical assault involving an unresponsive individual. This incident is now being investigated as a homicide case. Upon arrival, responding officers located the victim, identified as Mario Rosales Jr., suffering from a severe head injury. Emergency responders administered medical aid at the scene, but Rosales subsequently succumbed to his injuries.
Detectives assigned to the Visalia Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit initiated an investigation into the incident. Although investigators pursued leads over the subsequent two-year period, no immediate arrests were made, and the case initially yielded limited progress.
In 2026, investigators reevaluated the case files and submitted physical evidence for testing. Analysis of biological materials recovered from the initial crime scene yielded a DNA profile that matched 25-year-old Jeremiah Velasquez Jr.
On Wednesday, July 29, 2026, officers located and arrested Velasquez. He was booked into the county detention facility on suspicion of murder. The Visalia Police Department confirmed that the investigation remains open and is encouraging anyone with relevant information to contact assigned detectives.
