New year, new murder

The new year has started off to a violent start for a downtown neighborhood and the Chico Police Department, whose officers are already working on the first homicide of 2010.

Detectives are seeking information about the slaying of A B Skhy Abrahamian, who was murdered at about 10:40 p.m. Dec. 2. The 31-year-old man was shot in the head at the intersection of East Eighth and Flume streets.

Police say that Abrahamian had been in an altercation with a man driving a gray sport-utility vehicle just prior to the shooting. The suspect is described as a white or light-skinned Hispanic wearing a ball cap. Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to contact the police at 895-4911.