Man dies in drive-by shooting in east-central Fresno

A man was killed in a drive-by shooting Saturday afternoon in east-central Fresno, a slaying authorities said was committed by three masked men.

Multiple rounds were fired at the man, who was standing on a sidewalk about 2:50 p.m. in a residential area along east Cedar Avenue, near Weldon, west of Fresno Yosemite International Airport, Fresno County Sheriff’s Lt. Jose Salinas said.

The victim was identified Sunday as Miguel Valenzuela, 23, of Fresno.

Witnesses said the Valenzuela was on the east side of Cedar when a pearl- or crème-colored sedan stopped along the westside curb. Three men wearing black bandanas got out and opened fire.

Valenzuela walked to a nearby apartment where he was visiting people who live there.

Fresno Police officers were the first to arrive and they performed CPR. Valenzuela was pronounced dead at the Community Regional Medical Center.

Sheriff’s detectives took over the investigation because the area is in an unincorporated part of the city. It was too early to say if it was gang related.

There has been a recent spike in shootings in the area, and throughout the county, Salinas said.

Two men were injured June 24 about a mile and a half away in a shooting as they worked on a car near Winery and Yale avenues. Three suspects were involved in that incident as well, though they got out of the car before one of them opened fired.

Anyone with information on Saturday’s shooting is asked to call Detective Jose Mora at 559-600-8205 or Detective Mark Chapman at 559-600-8209.

Callers wishing to remain anonymous on this or any case can call Crime Stoppers at 559-498-7867.

This story was originally published July 1, 2017 at 6:15 PM with the headline "Man dies in drive-by shooting in east-central Fresno."