Update: 26-year-old man killed in shovel and knife attack identified by Fresno police
A 26-year-old man killed in a deadly shovel and knife attack on Monday night was identified by police in an update Tuesday.
Devin McNew was killed after he was struck by a shovel, causing severe blunt force trauma, and stabbed multiple times at 5:49 p.m. at a home at East Balch and South Callisch avenues.
The suspect, identified as 26-year-old Jonathan Navarro, also struck his ex-girlfriend in the head with the shovel, Fresno Police Lt. Paul Cervantes said.
She was taken to a hospital and was in stable condition.
Navarro had a large laceration to his wrist that was self-inflicted, Cervantes said.
Detectives determined that Navarro and the woman had recently ended their 10-year relationship.
She and her new boyfriend, McNew, had driven to the location to drop off property belonging to Navarro, Cervantes said. It’s unknown what type of property was involved.
While dropping off the items, Navarro and McNew began to fight. A knife and a shovel were used, Cervantes said.
During the fight, Navarro stabbed McNew multiple times, Cervantes said. Navarro then struck both McNew and the woman several times with a large garden shovel.
A neighbor arrived and was able to take the shovel from Navarro, who then brandished the knife.
Cervantes said Navarro threatened to take his own life and then “physically assaulted Mr. McNew several more times.”
Navarro is facing several charges, including murder and attempted murder.
It marks the 17th murder in 2024 compared to 19 this time last year, Cervantes said.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 559-621-7000 or homicide detectives R. Montoya at 559-621-2449 or C. Franks at 559-621-2449. Witnesses can also call Crime Stoppers at 559-498-7867 and can remain anonymous.
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