Crime

Victim allegedly shot to death by son identified as Fresno man, 61

CORRECTION: An earlier version of the headline on this story incorrectly reported the son had died.

Corrected May 17, 2021

Fresno police were investigating what appeared to be a murder and an attempted suicide involving a father and son at a mobile home park west of Highway 99 early Monday morning.

About 8 a.m., officers rushed to a shooting at the park on McKinley near Marks avenues, according to Lt. Rob Beckwith.

At the scene, a 15-year-old boy came out of a bedroom holding a gun and shot himself. He was rushed to a hospital, where he was in critical condition. The boy’s 18-year-old brother apparently called police.

Inside a bedroom, officers found the victim was deceased from a gunshot wound.

Homicide detectives were at the shooting scene.

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office later Monday afternoon identified the victim as Patrick Cotter, 61, of Fresno.

Fresno County suicide prevention help

Here are some suicide prevention resources around the county:

www.FresnoCares.org

Behavioral Health Disaster Fatigue Resources

www.ValleyHopeInCrisis.com or call 1-800-654-3973

Central Valley Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line

741741

Fresno County Behavioral Health Access Line

1-800-654-3937

California Peer-Run Warm Line

1-855-845-7415

Behavioral Health Non-Emergency Warm Line

559-600-9276 (WARM)

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline

1-800-985-5990

This story was originally published May 17, 2021 at 10:02 AM.

JG
Jim Guy
The Fresno Bee
A native of Colorado, Jim Guy studied political science, Latin American politics and Spanish literature at Fresno State University, and advanced Spanish grammar in Cuernavaca, Mexico.
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER