Police arrest men accused of shooting children coming home from church in Selma

Two men were arrested Thursday after Selma police say they shot and injured a couple of children who were coming home from church.

Ernesto Lopez, 22, and Gonzalo Avendano, 20, both from Orange Cove, were taken into custody during two separate search warrants conducted in Fresno County, according to Selma police.

A third suspect in the shooting is Joseph Miranda, 19, of Selma; he has been in Fresno County Jail on an unrelated charge, police said.

The incident occurred Oct. 13.

Detectives said a family of four was driving home from a Selma church when three men shot at their car.

Two kids, ages 6 and 7, were struck. They were taken to a hospital and survived.

Immediately after, the men allegedly shot at a house in the same area, but no one was injured, police said.

The alleged shooters each face charges of attempted murder in the first and second degree, assault with a firearm, conspiracy to commit murder and participation in a gang, according to Fresno County Jail records.

Anyone with further information is asked to call police at 559-896-2525.

This story was originally published January 9, 2020 at 10:40 PM.