Los Banos Woman Killed in Hanford; Arrest Made

A Los Banos woman who was shot and killed in Hanford earlier this week has now been identified as 25-year-old Sully Elizabeth Cortez Neri, and police say they have arrested 24-year-old Jason Harris in the case. Investigators say the shooting happened early Monday in the 500 block of Northstar Drive, and that they now believe the killing happened during an attempted robbery.

What happened

Hanford police say officers were called at about 3:35 a.m. Monday after reports of a man and woman arguing, possibly fighting, in the area of Northstar Drive. The reporting party later said gunshots were heard. When officers arrived, they found a woman in the roadway with at least one gunshot wound. She was taken to Adventist Health Hanford, where she was pronounced dead.

Police later identified the victim as Sully Elizabeth Cortez Neri of Los Banos. Early reporting said detectives found evidence of a struggle at the scene and were working to determine why she was in Hanford and who she had been with before the shooting.

What police say happened before the shooting

According to the later arrest update from Hanford police, investigators determined that Cortez Neri had gone to the River Oaks Apartments to meet Jason Harris, 24. Police say that as she was leaving, Harris allegedly tried to rob her of her money. Investigators say Cortez Neri attempted to stop the robbery, and during the altercation Harris allegedly shot her multiple times.

Police say Harris then fled the scene. Investigators later tracked him to the area of 11th Avenue and Cortner Street. When detectives tried to make contact, police say he ran, leading to a short foot pursuit before he was taken into custody.

What investigators did

Hanford police say detectives and the department’s Street Crimes Unit canvassed hundreds of apartments in the area and reviewed multiple hours of surveillance video while working the case. Police also said detectives were able to recover the suspected firearm believed to have been used in the shooting.

Charges and jail booking

Police say Harris was booked into the Kings County Jail. FOX26 reported he was arrested on suspicion of murder, robbery, and resisting, delaying, or obstructing a peace officer. ABC30 likewise reported he was booked for murder and other violations.

What we know right now

The clearest confirmed timeline right now is this: police responded to the Northstar Drive area after an argument was reported, Cortez Neri was found shot and later died, detectives worked the scene and nearby surveillance, and investigators now say the shooting stemmed from an attempted robbery involving Harris. Early coverage said police were still trying to figure out why she was in Hanford; the later arrest update added that she had gone there to meet Harris.

What has not been released

As of the latest public reporting I found, police have not publicly explained how Cortez Neri and Harris knew each other, why they were meeting, or what money or property police believe Harris was allegedly trying to take. I also did not find a public court filing laying out a more detailed narrative beyond the police version released after the arrest.

Why this story is getting attention

This case is drawing a lot of attention because it changed quickly from an unidentified homicide investigation into a more specific accusation: police now say a Los Banos woman was killed during an attempted robbery in Hanford, and that detectives identified and arrested a suspect within days. The case also stands out because earlier reporting described Northstar Drive as a quiet, family-oriented neighborhood, making the shooting especially jarring for nearby residents.

Final takeaway

What is confirmed right now is that Sully Elizabeth Cortez Neri, 25, of Los Banos was shot and killed in Hanford early Monday, and police have arrested Jason Harris, 24, who they say tried to rob her before shooting her. What remains less clear publicly is the full backstory of why the two were meeting and what led up to the confrontation moments before the gunfire.

Quick Facts

Victim: Sully Elizabeth Cortez Neri, 25, of Los Banos.
Suspect arrested: Jason Harris, 24.
Location: 500 block of Northstar Drive in Hanford.
Time reported: About 3:35 a.m. Monday.
Hospital: Adventist Health Hanford.
Police theory: Attempted robbery before fatal shooting.
Arrest location: Area of 11th Avenue and Cortner Street.
Suspected weapon: Police say detectives recovered the suspected firearm.
Case number: H2601102.
Tip line: Detective Escalera at 559-585-2540 in the arrest update; early coverage listed 559-585-2535.