MODESTO—

Norma Gonzalez, a mother of three teens, says gangs and violence is major problem among youth in south Modesto.

So much so that police are searching for three teens all from the Modesto and Ceres areas.

They’re wanted in connection to the shooting death of 37-year-old Victor Hugo Sanchez in February.

“We have one suspect in custody and we have another one in Mexico as part of that investigation some of those people were linked to the Modesto, Ceres area and that’s how that connection between Paso Robles and Ceres was made,” said Lt. Ty Lewis from the Paso Robles Police Department.

Paso Robles Police believe the teens were hired to beat Sanchez by his jilted ex-girlfriend – Carmen Fajardo who is now behind bars – for the murder.

“Our investigation leads us to believe the relationship ended and there where hurt feelings on her part,” Lewis said.

In October 2012, investigators say Fajardo hired another man to beat Sanchez. That suspect is now believed to be in Mexico.

“We have one suspect that already plead guilty to that crime and as part of our interviews. They let us know the means and motives why that took place and that helped us connect the dots,” Lewis said.

With the three boys still on the run, parents say the news makes them fearful and worried for their safety.