Suspect arrested for double shooting at a Fresno intersection. What led investigators to him

A suspect was arrested for allegedly shooting two men after an argument in southeast Fresno, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said Friday night.

Sheriff’s spokesman Tony Botti said 21-year-old Gabriel Soto was arrested during a traffic stop Friday afternoon on suspicion of shooting two men earlier in the morning.

According to a sheriff’s office report, the argument took place about 1:30 a.m. between Soto and the two men at the 7-Eleven store near Kings Canyon Road and Willow Avenue. The two men got into their vehicle and Soto got into his vehicle and all of them left the store. As the two men stopped at the traffic light at Belmont and Peach avenues, Soto fired 10 rounds at the stopped vehicle striking a 20- and 22-year-old inside. Soto then drove away from the scene.

One of the victims was in serious condition and the other was in critical condition, the sheriff’s office said.

Detectives learned the argument was gang-related and obtained the surveillance video from the store. MAGEC, the multi-agency gang enforcement unit, identified Soto as the suspect who got in the argument. Detectives visited places where Soto was known to stay and spotted him riding in a vehicle.

Botti said Soto was out on bail from a February 2022 arrest on charges of auto theft and violation of a restraining order.

This story was originally published April 29, 2022 at 11:25 PM.