The person at the center of this case
One male victim (deceased); one male victim (survived)
Homicide · Open
27 years waiting · since 1999
JOEL EMILIANO CARRANZA
Justice for One male victim (deceased); one male victim (survived) — the trail went cold in 1999, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Where exactly in Mexico is Carranza hiding? Is he still in the Aguascalientes or Morelia, Michoacán areas as believed?
👤
person
Lead #2What is the current status and location of Carranza's father, Emiliano Carranza, who may have information about his son's whereabouts?
💡
clue
Lead #3Who were the three accomplices in the attack, and have they been identified and prosecuted?
On January 1, 1999, Joel Emiliano Carranza and three accomplices allegedly attacked two men walking on a street in Campbell, California, in retaliation for a prior altercation involving one of Carranza's relatives. One victim died from multiple stab wounds to the chest, including a fatal wound to the heart, while the other survived. Carranza fled and remains at large, believed to be hiding in Mexico, and a federal warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution was issued in April 1999.
Case
#1007
FBI; United States District Court, Northern District of California, San Jose; Santa Clara County Superior Court
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
🔍
evidence
Lead #4What specific evidence linked Carranza to the murder, and is there additional forensic evidence that could aid in his apprehension?
📞
contact
Lead #5Is Carranza still married with a child as believed, and could family connections help locate him?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution - Murder Caution: Joel Emiliano Carranza is wanted for his alleged involvement in the attack of two men. On January 1, 1999, Carranza and three accomplices allegedly jumped out of a van and attacked the two men as they were walking along a street in Campbell, California.
The attack allegedly stemmed from an altercation between one of the men who were walking and one of Carranza's relatives which occurred nearly a year earlier. During the attack, one of the men suffered multiple stab wounds to the chest, one of which penetrated his heart and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The other victim survived the attack. A local arrest warrant was issued for Carranza on January 6, 1999, by the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Santa Clara, Juvenile Court, wherein he was charged with murder.
A federal arrest warrant was issued for Carranza on April 14, 1999, in the United States District Court, Northern District of California, San Jose, California, wherein he was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Remarks: Carranza is thought to be in Mexico, possible in either the Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, or Morelia, Michoacán, areas.
He is thought to be married with at least one child, possibly a daughter. Carranza may be seen with his father, Emiliano Carranza, age 58, whose photograph is featured above to the far right.
Emiliano Carranza is not a fugitive from the law.
Timeline of Events
📞
1998
Prior altercation
An altercation occurred between one of the later victims and one of Carranza's relatives approximately one year before the attack
👤
1999-01-01
Fatal attack
Carranza and three accomplices allegedly jumped from a van and attacked two men walking on a street in Campbell, California. One victim suffered multiple stab wounds to the chest, including a fatal wound to the heart, and died at the scene. The other victim survived.
🕵️
1999-01-06
Local arrest warrant issued
Santa Clara County Superior Court, Juvenile Court issued a local arrest warrant for Carranza charging him with murder
🕵️
1999-04-14
Federal arrest warrant issued
United States District Court, Northern District of California, San Jose issued a federal arrest warrant for Carranza charging him with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:January 1, 1998
Last Updated:September 12, 2026
Up to $5,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case
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Case Information
Incident:January 1, 1998
Last Updated:September 12, 2026
Up to $5,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case