‘Simply a tragedy.’ Teen shot, killed identified by police, and boyfriend arrested
Fresno police identified the woman Wednesday found gunned down in a car by her boyfriend, and in an update later in the day said they made an arrest.
Officers said Zoe Salinas, 18, was shot around 11 p.m. Tuesday on Tyler Avenue and Bond Street by 19-year-old Jose Gutierrez Contreras.
The two had a relationship and the shooting was preceded by a heated argument, police said.
Police arrived to find her in a car with a gunshot wound in the neighborhood southeast of First Street and Olive Avenue. She died at the scene, police said.
“This is not a mystery; this is not a whodunit. Quite frankly, this is simply a tragedy,” Lt. Paul Cervantes said at police headquarters Wednesday afternoon. “The fact that we have two young people in a dating relationship ending with the result is absolutely horrendous.”
Officers tracked down Gutierrez Contreras a few blocks away. Police said he had a handgun when he was arrested.
Cervantes said both were high school students who had dated for four years. He said police would not Wednesday release the name of the school where they attended but said it was local.
The 19-year-old made statements about harming himself, Cervantes said, so he was being evaluated for his mental health before being placed in Fresno County Jail.
Police said it was the first domestic violence-related murder in 2023.
The deadly violence marks the 12th intentional homicide so far this year compared to 22 the same time last year.
It’s the second killing by gun violence this week. Police said 39-year-old Paul Fierro was shot to death Sunday following an argument with a man still sought by detectives.
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked by police to call 559-621-7000. Anyone can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 559-498-7867.
Confidential assistance for those who are victims of domestic violence is available through Marjaree Mason Center in Fresno at 559-233-4357.
This story was originally published May 31, 2023 at 11:33 AM.
