String of shootings in Fresno, including a 12-year-old struck at a birthday party

A 12-year-old boy was shot while attending a birthday party west of Highway 99 in Fresno late Sunday night, one of at least three incidents of gun violence in the city late Sunday night and into Monday morning.

Officers responded to a shots fired call with a possible gun shot victim in the 2500 block of North Knoll Avenue just before 11 p.m. and located the victim, who was attending the party.

“We know he has been shot at least once and was immediately transported to the hospital where he is being treated and is currently in critical condition,” Fresno Police Lt. Ignacio Ruiz said.

“We are looking at a few suspects right now that were described to have committed this shooting and were seen on foot running away from the scene. We have our (Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium) detectives out here, also our night detectives, and we’re investing this right now.”

A 33-year-old man was shot in an unrelated incident on Mono Street in southwest Fresno around 11:30 p.m.

Two suspects were captured on video shooting at the victim with handguns in an alley between A and B streets. Around 13 shots were fired, with three striking the victim in the torso. Fresno Police had officers in the area and they responded to the scene after hearing the gun shots. The victim was found down and in the road on B Street.

He transported to Community Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

There also was a walk-in gunshot victim at hospital after midnight.

The birthday party was for a teenager, not the victim who was shot. It is unknown whether the shooting was gang related, but Ruiz said it was not a random shooting. The suspects were not attending the party.

“Apparently, the two suspects walked up and committed that shooting,” Ruiz said. “It appears to be these were intended targets. This was not a random issue. The suspects were on foot and then fled also on foot.

“They’re at large. We’re requesting the public’s help. If anyone was out here who witnessed this shooting, please call the police department (559-621-7000) or call Crime Stoppers tip line —559-498-STOP to provide that information.”

This story was originally published July 18, 2022 at 7:08 AM.