Man shot to death, struck multiple times outside a Fresno market. Police seek clues

Police are investigating a shooting that left a man dead Friday afternoon outside of a market in southwest Fresno.

According to Sgt. Andre Benson, officers received a ShotSpotter activation just before 2:30 p.m. of five rounds fired outside of the Westside Market & Liquor on Elm Avenue north of Jensen Avenue.

Officers arrived and found 44-year-old Cornelius “Juice” Reed lying in the parking lot with multiple gunshot wounds to his stomach area. He was taken to Community Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Benson said Reed was walking out of the store when he was approached by three men. An argument occurred, prompting one of the men to pull a firearm and shoot the victim.

The suspect and two men were seen fleeing on foot, going west from the store. Benson said Friday that officers do not know if the shooting was gang-related.

Saturday, Benson released more information about the incident: Reed was not armed or making any threatening movements as he went to the store to pick up miscellaneous items, and many nearby residents were outside at the time of the shooting.

Police are asking anyone with information about the case to call Crime Stoppers at 559-498-STOP (7867) or police at police at 559-621-2452 or 559-621-2446.

Reed’s death is the 28th homicide this year compared to 31 this time last year, Benson said.

This story was originally published September 4, 2020 at 5:18 PM.