Fresno police investigating if victim, stolen car connected in murder case

Fresno police are investigating a Thursday night murder that appears to be gang-related after a man died from a gunshot wound.

Police responded to the Ross Gardens Apartments on North Marks Avenue in west Fresno before 9:30 p.m. and found a man on the ground inside the apartment complex, police said in a news release.

The victim was suffering from a gunshot wound, and emergency medical technicians tried to save him but were unsuccessful. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

His identity has not been released pending an autopsy and family notification.

Officers also found a stolen vehicle peppered with gunfire near the victim. Detectives are working to determine whether the car is related to the man’s death. Based on evidence at the scene, police believe the victim was shot in another location, police said.

Lt. Mark Hudson said the murder was the 43rd in Fresno this year, compared to 29 last year at this time.

Anyone with information on the case can submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 498-STOP. Tipsters also can reach out to Fresno Police Department homicide detectives Melanie Mayo at 559-621-2421 or Antonio River at 559-621-2442 and provide the detectives with the case number 17-64011.

This story was originally published September 29, 2017 at 5:16 PM with the headline "Fresno police investigating if victim, stolen car connected in murder case."