Young father, former Fresno standout athlete killed in house party shooting
Lee Major III flashes a wide smile to the camera as snow dusts everything around him. He dances to music blaring from a car and tosses snow into the air in a quick jump.
In another video, from 2018, Major and his girlfriend await a countdown before a Christmas tree is lit with blue lights. He was going to be a father to a son.
Those recent memories on social media are what friends and family are remembering after Major was shot early Sunday morning at a house party in Fowler. He was rushed to Community Regional Medical Center, where he died, according to authorities.
Friends and family identified him as a victim on social media and gathered Sunday night for a vigil outside Fresno High School, where Major had an all-star athletic career.
The owners of the home near Sixth Street and Adams Avenue are in the process of selling it and had decided to throw one last party before moving out, according to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. Dozens of people were the gathering, some invited and other who were not.
There was a dispute among some at the party, and Major and others asked the suspect to leave, the sheriff’s office reported. He refused and an argument ensued. The man who wouldn’t leave pulled out a gun and began shooting, striking Major and two other men.
The two additional men who were shot were treated at the hospital and released Monday, the sheriff’s office said.
Detectives on Monday were following leads to identify and track down the shooter. Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 559-600-3111, Detective Juan Galindo 559-600-8215 or Crime Stoppers at 559-498-STOP.
A standout athlete
Major was a standout basketball and football player at Fresno High School, where he graduated in 2017. Friends flooded social media with posts remembering him.
He was twice picked as a Bee All-Star in basketball. His football talent made him “one to watch” by 24-7 Sports, an online sports website.
When asked in a video interview with 24-7, Major lists his jumping ability as his strength while playing wide receiver for the Fresno High Warriors football team.
His jumping skills were appreciated in basketball, too.
In the same 2017 interview, Major says he had gotten letters of interest from UC Berkeley and San Diego State during his senior year. His dream was to play for Michigan State.
A good friend
On Sunday, donations slowly came in to raise funds for Major’s funeral on GoFundMe.
Friends and former teammates remember Major as a good friend. They recall his comedic and humble personality. In videos and photos, he is shown smiling on and off the field.
Major, who was the fifth born out of 10 children, leaves behind his 7-month-old son.
Candlelight vigil
Heartbroken mourners gathered to remember the athlete in a candlelight vigil Sunday night in front of Fresno High spilling out into the street.
Family and friends crowded closed spelling out Lee’s name with candles in front of the gate of the high school with pictures and many of Lee’s trophies in hand.
Lee Major spoke about how accepting his son was.
“My son was humble,” Major said. “He was not a part of any gang. He never fought with anyone. He was just a really good guy, both fair and just. He just symbolized unity and what you see with everyone out here tonight is real love.”
Major’s aunt Desirae Hackett described her nephew as joyful, kindhearted and always able to light up the room. She also said that the amount of support the family has seen has been amazing to see and shows how much of an impact that he had.
“He was just an all-around joyful kid,” Hackett said. “He loved sports. Anything to do to be active, to be part of the community, to see people smiling. He was everything you needed as a positive figure in your life and for someone so young he had such an impact in so many. When it came to sports he was an all-star and he gave Fresno an amazing name and was a great role model”
Cresencio Rodriguez-Delgado: 559-441-6304, @cres_guez
This story was originally published December 15, 2019 at 10:35 PM.
