In update of Easton-area shooting, deputies say man is suspected of killing his older brother

A man is suspected of killing his older brother in a shooting Friday morning near Easton, deputies said in an update of the case provided Saturday.

A caller reported the shooting during a disturbance about 8:30 a.m. near Manning and Fruit avenues, Fresno County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Tony Botti said. Deputies found a man walking along the road and detained him as a precaution.

“Deputies then searched the property and found an injured man lying on the ground behind a barn. A closer look revealed he had been shot and was deceased,” Botti said.

The Fresno County Sheriff’s-Coroner’s Office on Saturday identified the dead man as 68-year-old Jerry Vulich.

Norman Vulich, 57, was arrested on suspicion of murder and committing a felony while armed. His bail is set at $1.5 million.

Deputies said the shooting occurred on their family property.

The investigation is ongoing.

Nearby roadways were blocked off Friday as part of the crime scene investigation.

Botti said it was the 19th homicide investigation of 2020 in Fresno County. There were 18 in 2019.

Anyone with more information about the case is asked to contact Det. Gary Haslam at 559-600-8209 or Crime Stoppers at 559-498-7867.

This story was originally published October 23, 2020 at 9:05 AM.