Parlier teen — fatally shot at home — always made ‘everybody laugh.’ Here’s how to help family

Ricardo Chavana had an everyday gift for bringing humor into the lives of others, his high school coach recalls.

“He was a people’s person,” Fernando Camargo said Monday, “always making everybody laugh.”

Camargo and others in the Parlier Unified School District, the city and his family are now mourning Chavana after the 16-year-old high school junior was gunned down in his home Sunday night in the small Fresno County community.

Chavana, identified Monday as the victim in the late-night shooting, had two sisters in the district and played on Parlier High’s baseball and basketball teams, according to a statement issued Monday afternoon by the district.

“Our hearts go out to the victim’s family and friends,” the statement says. “Our community is grieving and we will have counseling services on campus for students and staff. The safety of everyone continues to be of utmost importance to us. The Parlier Police Department will have an increased presence at our schools, for extra precaution.”

Parlier Unified Superintendent Gracie Guerrero, in the statement, adds, “This is an unfortunate tragedy for our District family and we are working to support the community and Ricardo’s family in every way possible. We ask everyone to keep his family in their prayers.”

A link to a GoFundMe account to help the family was posted Monday on Facebook.

“It is with heavy hearts that Martina and Ricardo Chavana announce the passing of their son, Ricardo ‘Ricardito’ Chavana Jr.,” the fundraiser says. “The family is requesting support and prayers during these difficult times.”

Star pitcher hoped to get even better

Chavana was an All-West Sequoia League baseball second-team selection as a sophomore, serving as Parlier’s ace pitcher and one of the top hitters. He also played third base.

Said Camargo, a Parlier baseball assistant: “He was a great baseball pitcher and every team knew that. He will be greatly missed.”

He was to be a team captain this season for the Panthers, who are scheduled to open Friday at home against McLane.

“He was just a really good kid in the sense that when you met him, you knew that he had a good mom and good dad,” Camargo told The Bee.

His future on the baseball diamond appeared bright.

“This year he really took it upon himself, we talked about how could he get better. ‘Can I lose some weight, what do you want me to do?’” Camargo said. “He took it upon himself to lose 30 pounds. He was running more and he understood the importance of running and protecting his arm. It was nice to see how he took ownership of his baseball career.”

It’s possible, the assistant said, that Friday’s game may be postponed.

“We’re going to ask the boys if they’re willing to play,” Camargo said. “It’s going to be a little emotional.”

Sheriff’s Office issues public plea: ‘Time to step up’

Parlier officers responded Sunday to a call of shots fired about 11 p.m. in the 13000 block of East Bulah Avenue, between Rodriguez Avenue and Trujillo Street.

Chavana had been shot multiple times. He was taken to Selma Hospital, where he died.

Police asked Fresno County Sheriff’s Office detectives to take over the case. The investigation found that the shots were fired from outside into the occupied home, a sheriff’s news release says.

A teammate called Camargo about 11:35 p.m. “They shot him, they shot him, Coach, they shot him.”

So upset was the player, he didn’t even mention the name until Camargo asked. He headed to the home as did baseball coach Diego Garza. They stayed until about 1 a.m.

About 3:30 a.m., he learned the boy had passed away. “It was a hard night.”

The motive is unknown, and no suspects or vehicles associated with the case had been identified as of Monday afternoon.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Aurelio Flores at 559-600-8208 or Crime Stoppers at 559-498-7867 or valleycrimestoppers.org.

“I really hope that this hits home for people that somebody out there went up and shot up a house and killed a 16-year-old boy, who had his whole life ahead of him,” sheriff’s spokesman Tony Botti said during a news conference Monday afternoon. “If you know anything, it’s time to step up.”

This story was originally published February 21, 2022 at 6:00 PM.