Last Sunday night, 34-year-old Akeem Mohammed El-Haji was fatally stabbed. The Modesto Police Department has since been working to piece together the events leading to El-Haji’s death. The Modesto Police Department official Facebook page announced the arrest of two individuals in connection with the homicide.
Detectives from Modesto’s Investigative Services Division have identified and arrested Anahys Capetillo-Chable, 37, and Julio Martinez-Capetillo, 21, in Watsonville, California. Both suspects have been charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder. According to the Modesto Police Department, it was a claim of a prior assault that seemingly prompted the suspects to search out and subsequently attack El-Haji. A warrant remains outstanding for a third suspect, Cristofer Vazquez-Villanueva, 28, who investigators believe to have fled to quickly escape to Mexico.
The incident unfolded on the evening of Sunday last week, around 7:00 PM, when patrol units responded to a reported assault at the intersection of 9th and D Streets. El-Haji was found with multiple stab wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation is still ongoing, and the incident is believed to be isolated. The Modesto Police Department extended condolences to Akeem’s family. They also thanked the Watsonville Police Department and Santa Cruz County law enforcement for their assistance. Details regarding the case or the motivations behind the act have yet to be disclosed, as investigators continue to work through the evidence.
