Man shot to death in Fresno — the city’s 15th homicide of the year

Police are investigating an overnight shooting that left one man dead Monday outside an apartment complex in southeast Fresno, police said.

The victim was identified Tuesday as Cory Smith, 34, of Fresno, the Fresno County Coroner’s Office said.

Officers responded to a 911 call around 4 a.m. Monday and found Smith on the ground outside the complex near Willow Avenue and Kings Canyon Road with a gunshot wound to the upper torso.

Life-saving efforts were given on scene, according to police Lt. Robert Beckwith. Smith was transported to Community Regional Medical Center, where he died.

Smith may have been shot following an argument, according to initial reports from the scene. Police also found broken glass on the ground, but don’t know if it has any significance to the shooting.

Detectives were expected to be in the area for several hours Monday morning collecting evidence.

This is the 15th homicide in Fresno so far this year.

A 43-year-old man was killed in a possible domestic disturbance at a downtown apartment complex Feb. 14. That followed the death of a 21-year Mendota man following an argument and shooting in Calwa.

This story was originally published March 1, 2021 at 8:41 AM.