Fresno County Sheriff’s deputies arrest suspect in Three Rocks homicide

Fresno County Sheriff’s have arrested a suspect in a deadly shooting reported early Monday in the Three Rocks/Cantua Creek area, south of Mendota.

Jose Rangel, 53, was arrested Tuesday evening after a citizen made a report to the Sheriff’s Office saying they saw a man resembling Rangel near their home in Three Rocks.

Deputies initially were unable to find Rangel, but they continued to do patrol checks in the late afternoon.

While searching an orchard in Three Rocks, they found a man who appeared to be hiding in a tree. Deputies determined it was Rangel and they took him into custody without any issues.

The victim, Augustine Alvarado Trujillo, 33, was found with a gunshot wound early Monday morning behind Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in the area of South Derrick Avenue (Highway 33) and West Clarkson Avenue.

Medical aid was given, but Trujillo died at the scene.

Detectives determined Rangel was responsible for the shooting.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 559-600-3111, Detective Adam Maldonado 559-600-8208 or Crime Stoppers at 559-498-7867, www.valleycrimestoppers.org. Tipsters will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.

This story was originally published June 18, 2019 at 10:19 PM.