Gunman fires at assembled group in Tulare, killing one and shooting a child multiple times
A gunman opened fire at a large group gathered for a celebration of life service Wednesday night in Tulare, killing a man and striking a little girl multiple times.
Tulare police Sgt. Ed Hinojosa said six people were shot: three men, two women and a 7-year-old girl.
A 23-year-old man was declared deceased, Hinojosa added.
The incident happened around 10:30 p.m. near Tulare Avenue and I Street, across from a skate park and at an apartment complex.
“Upon arrival, the scene was chaotic,” Hinojosa said. “People were running in every direction, some trying to attend to family members who had been struck.”
Hinojosa said witnesses told police that a solo suspect walked up and fired multiple rounds at the group of about 50 to 60 people who were attending a celebration of life event.
The services were for a man who was buried earlier in the day following a fatal car crash a few days ago.
Officers believe Wednesday’s shooting was gang related based on some of the ties of the man who was buried, Hinojosa added.
“We believe that it may be gang related, though it’s unclear of the affiliation,” Hinojosa said.
The victims shot were transported to different area hospitals, except one woman who refused to go into an ambulance.
Aside from the man who died, none of the victims’ conditions were immediately known.
The 7-year-old girl was transported to Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera.
Hinojosa said the entire Tulare Police Department was helping investigate the scene.
This story was originally published March 5, 2020 at 2:53 AM.
