Father and son arrested in Fresno double homicide. They’re related to a victim, cops say
Fresno officers arrested a father and son accused of the shooting deaths of a relative and another person, police said Wednesday.
Police said 40-year-old Gerardo Zurita drove a vehicle while his son, 19-year-old Leobardo Zurita, fired the shots toward a residence where the victims were outside about 11:30 p.m. Friday.
The gunfire struck and killed 21-year-old Stacy Zurita, the daughter of the elder Zurita, and 25-year-old Raul “Bobby” Nunez in the area of East Iowa Avenue and North Eighth Street, police said.
The victims were in a dating relationship, according to Lt. Paul Cervantes. He said Stacy Zurita was not an intended target but was killed.
The double homicide followed a fight between members of the Zurita family and Nunez, police said. Witnesses said a car left the area after the initial incident and returned before shots rang from the car, police said.
The Zuritas fired about 10 rounds, striking each victim at least once, Cervantes said.
Both victims were taken to Community Regional Medical Center where they were pronounced dead.
Cervantes said the men attempted to hide their identities after the violence. The elder Zurita shaved his head and facial hair and the younger Zurita cut his long ponytail, Cervantes said.
Cervantes said some of the people involved in the incident may have gang affiliations, but the shooting was not gang-related.
The accused men were arrested Tuesday at a home, police said. They were booked at Fresno County Jail on suspicion of murder without bail, according to jail records.
The elder Zurita is also accused of DUI, according to jail records.
The gun used in the crime is unaccounted for.
The double homicide marks the 33rd and 34th so far this year, police said, compared to 42 at this time last year.
There have been 250 shootings so far this year, down 30% from 355 shootings the same time last year, police said.
This story was originally published July 13, 2022 at 10:17 AM.
