Four men arrested in 2004 fatal stabbing outside Chula Vista’s La Bella’s Pizza Garden

Arrests announced in 21-year-old Chula Vista homicide investigation

Four men have been arrested and are facing charges tied to the March 20, 2004 fatal stabbing of 22-year-old Ryan Cunningham outside La Bella’s Pizza Garden in Chula Vista, authorities said. The case, which remained unsolved for more than two decades, is now moving back into court with arraignments scheduled in downtown San Diego.

The defendants were identified as Jose Roque-Garcia, 50; Carlos Herrera, 42; Marco Herrera, 41; and Franco Dominguez, 43. All four were reported to be held without bail as the case proceeds through early hearings.

What investigators say happened in 2004

Investigators allege Cunningham was seated on the restaurant’s patio when a group of men approached and attacked him. The assault involved beating with multiple weapons, and it ended when one of the assailants stabbed Cunningham. The suspects then fled the area in two vehicles, authorities said. Cunningham was transported to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

Timeline: March 20, 2004 — attack on the patio outside La Bella’s Pizza Garden; January 2026 — arrests and upcoming arraignments.

Custody status and upcoming court proceedings

Roque-Garcia was reported to have been in custody since December 2025 and is also facing a separate murder case in the South Bay. The other three defendants were booked into jail on Thursday, January 15, 2026. All four are expected to appear in court Tuesday, January 20, 2026 for arraignment proceedings in downtown San Diego.

• Defendants: Jose Roque-Garcia (50), Carlos Herrera (42), Marco Herrera (41), Franco Dominguez (43)

• Victim: Ryan Cunningham, 22 at the time of his death

• Location: La Bella’s Pizza Garden, Chula Vista

• Alleged escape: departure in two vehicles following the stabbing

How the cold case advanced

Authorities have not disclosed what specific break in the investigation led to identifying the suspects. The arrests follow a public call for information made in 2025, when investigators emphasized that the restaurant was busy at the time of the attack and that multiple employees and customers had witnessed what happened. Officials also noted that several private gatherings, including a baby shower, were taking place that evening—circumstances that investigators said increased the likelihood of witnesses with relevant information.

The case remains in its early court phase. Formal charges, pleas, and the evidence that will be presented are expected to become clearer after arraignment and subsequent hearings.