Two previously deported Hondurans with violent pasts have been arrested for murdering a 24-year-old single mother in pleasant Sunnyvale, Calif. — one of the safest cities in the nation, according to local police.
The victim’s death is another example of failed sanctuary policies, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has slammed Santa Clara County politicians for refusing to honor immigration detainers.
The victim, Kembery Chirinos-Flores, was shot multiple times with a shotgun while sitting in her car, allegedly at the hands of her child’s father.
Gerzon Jose Chirinos-Munguia, 32, has previous romantic ties to the victim, although police did not say whether it was a domestic dispute. He was previously arrested for domestic violence years earlier but released.
Franquin Inestroza-Martinez, 30, the alleged accomplice of the boy’s father, has been deported twice before and is wanted for another homicide in New Jersey.
Despite both illegal aliens having violent criminal histories, local officials have said they won’t honor immigration detainers, DHS said. Detainers are requests to not release criminals from jail without notification to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“Sanctuary politicians have REFUSED to work with ICE and turn over two criminal illegal aliens who MURDERED a 24-year-old single mother,” DHS shared on X.
🚨Santa Clara, California: Sanctuary politicians have REFUSED to work with ICE and turn over two criminal illegal aliens who MURDERED a 24-year-old single mother.
On January 7, Kimberley Chirinos-Flores was shot multiple times and killed by criminal illegal aliens Franquin… https://t.co/PzToaV87gD
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) March 31, 2026
The shooting of Kembery Chirinos-Flores, who leaves behind a 5-year-old son, occurred on Jan. 7 in Sunnyvale, Calif. Local authorities announced the arrest of Chirinos-Munguia and Inestroza-Martinez for her murder on March 5.
Chirinos-Munguia was arrested in 2019 for domestic battery and threatening crime with the intent of terrorizing. He has an additional arrest in April 2018 for battery and false imprisonment but was released from jail by Santa Clara sanctuary politicians, DHS said.
The second suspect, Inestroza-Martinez, has an outstanding arrest warrant in New Jersey tied to a separate homicide investigation.
“A man lost his life, and a child is now without a mother,” said DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “These illegal aliens should have never been able to commit these horrific killings and must NEVER be released from jail into American communities.”
According to a news release from Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety, detectives arrested Alfonso Inestroza, also known as Franquin Inestroza-Martinez, described as “an adult resident of Hollister,” and Gerzon Chirinos, also known as Gerzon Chirinos-Munguia, described as “an adult resident of Sunnyvale,” in connection with the homicide.
The coordinated operation spanned two counties and involved multiple law enforcement agencies. Investigators also recovered a shotgun, which is believed to be the murder weapon, police said.
Sunnyvale DPS said “this was a tragic and senseless act of violence that is extremely rare in our city.” While offering condolences to the victim and her family, the department neglected to mention the suspects’ immigration status and downplayed their criminal past.
That’s in part due to the California Value Act, which was signed into law in 2017 in response to the immigration efforts of President Donald Trump during his first term, Fox News Digital reported.
This “sanctuary” law prohibits local police from asking suspects about immigration status and limits cooperation between federal immigration agents and local authorities.
“These arrests represent an important step toward justice for Kembery and her family,” Sunnyvale Chief of Public Safety Dan Pistor said in the news release. “The Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety will never stop pursuing justice for victims of violent crime in our community, and we remain committed to holding offenders fully accountable.”
DHS said the two suspects are criminal illegal aliens from Honduras with a history of violence.
“Instead of cooperating with ICE, Santa Clara sanctuary politicians REFUSED to honor ICE’s arrest detainer and will not notify ICE when these murderers are released from jail,” Bis said. “This insanity of refusing to turn cold-blooded killers over to ICE must end.”
According to KSBW News, officers responded to a shooting in Sunnyvale on Jan. 7. Upon arrival, police found Chirinos-Flores, 24, of Mountain View, bleeding in her car with multiple gunshot wounds.
Chirinos-Flores was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspects fled before officers arrived.
Inestroza-Martinez was arrested in Hollister by a SWAT team, and Chirinos-Munguia was arrested in Sunnyvale following a multiagency operation.
Police said the victim and Chirinos-Munguia shared a 5-year-old son but did not say whether they were still romantically involved.
Based on DHS records, Chirinos-Munguia illegally entered the country in May 2015 and was caught by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents and later removed.
He illegally re-entered the United States—a felony—at an unknown place and time and remained in the country.
Following Chirinos-Munguia’s arrest for domestic battery and other charges in 2018 and 2019, he was released back into California without ICE being notified, according to DHS.
“Instead of turning this criminal over to ICE, sanctuary politicians released him from jail back into American communities,” DHS said.
Based on DHS records and News 12 in New York, Inestroza-Martinez is wanted for the murder of a 55-year-old man in New Jersey last year.
DHS said Inestroza-Martinez was firs apprehended by CBP on June 12, 2013. He was arrested and removed.
He tried illegally re-entering the country again in February 2018 and was caught—a felony—and removed a second time. He illegally entered the United States a third time at an unknown date and time.
The Mercer County Prosecutor alleges Inestroza-Martinez is responsible for the fatal shooting of Esteban Vicente Sacalxot on March 17, 2025. According to News 12, he was found in his Trenton home suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at the scene.
Local police identified Inestroza-Martinez as the main suspect and issued an arrest warrant. The U.S. Marshals had been working to locate him prior to his California arrest, News 12 reported.
