Man shot Christmas night in Fresno by attackers without apparent motive, police say

A man in his 20s suffered multiple gunshot wounds Christmas night when two unidentified attackers opened fire on a central Fresno street, police reported.

Police received a ShotSpotter alert indicating as many as 16 rounds may have been fired just after 7 p.m. on Hughes Avenue near Dakota Avenue, Lt. Bill Dooley said.

Officers rushed to the area as emergency dispatchers received a call reporting a man in his 20s was shot in his torso and leg. The victim was in stable condition Wednesday night, police said.

The victim told police he was walking with a friend to a neighborhood store when he spotted two men across the road. He said the men were “keeping pace” with them as they walked down the street, according to police.

“The two subjects suddenly opened fired with a gun at them,” Dooley said. “They (the victims) had no idea the reason why.”

The victim and his friend scrambled back to a nearby apartment. Police said the victim could only describe the attackers as two males dressed in dark clothing.

“The victim said they never spoke or had a confrontation with the suspects and had no idea why they fired at them,” Dooley said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Fresno Police Department.

This story was originally published December 25, 2019 at 10:19 PM.