Officers ‘incredibly lucky’ after suspect shoots at them, terrorizes neighborhood, Fresno police say

A neighborhood north of Community Regional Medical Center in downtown Fresno was locked down by police Tuesday night during a search for a man who allegedly fired at officers.

Police swarmed the neighborhood on Valeria Street near Belmont Avenue following the shooting and ordered residents into their homes for their safety.

According to Fresno police Cpt. Joey Alvarez, the police activity began after officers patrolling the neighborhood attempted to stop a 2006 Nissan that was driving at a high speed.

The driver of the Nissan did not stop and then crashed. The driver and the passenger both ran, but then the driver turned around and fired a pump shotgun at officers who were chasing behind, said Alvarez. The officers returned fire.

The suspect, identified Tuesday as Michael Sanchez, 29, continued running and then encountered a pedestrian. That pedestrian was legally carrying a gun and fired at the suspect after Sanchez brandished his weapon at him, Alvarez said.

Sanchez fell, but then got up again and ran toward an apartment complex, where he tried to enter some apartment units, police said. A good Samaritan at the complex tackled Sanchez, allowing police to catch up to him and take him into custody.

Sanchez had gunshot wounds on his upper chest. Alvarez said it was not immediately clear whose shots caused the wounds since officers and the pedestrian all fired.

The passenger of the Nissan, Luis Longinos, 40, ran from the crash but was found Tuesday night at the home where the Nissan was registered. Police spokesman Sgt. Jeff La Blue said Longinos was questioned and released.

Alvarez said that despite the neighborhood being terrorized, residents were helpful to police during the investigation.

“Right now, we are incredibly lucky that no officers were hurt and no citizens were hurt,” Alvarez said.

Officers shut down streets from Fresno to Abby streets east and west to McKenzie and Belmont south and north for hours during the investigation, which started shortly after the failed traffic stop at 5:30 p.m.

A SWAT team arrived to the scene, as well as a police command center. No officers were injured during the incident. La Blue said Sanchez was booked on weapons charges as well as two counts of attempted murder of a peace officer. Sanchez is a Bulldog gang member, La Blue said.

This story was originally published March 24, 2020 at 7:24 PM.