SWAT standoff in Fresno ends with wanted parolee’s arrest prior to officer firing shot
A wanted parolee was arrested late Sunday after hours-long standoff that included an officer firing a shot in Fresno.
Officers went to the location at Turner and Recreation around 7 p.m. to do a follow-up investigation regarding a traffic stop that was conducted at Butler and Hazelwood on Friday when the suspect fled the traffic stop, Fresno police chief Mindy Casto said.
Officers went to the location Sunday to see where he might be. They made contact with the suspect who told officers he had a gun and allegedly threatened to shoot.
Casto said the suspect tried to escape on foot when an officer saw a gun in his hand “at some point in time, pointed that at our officers.”
The suspect saw a large containment and got inside the vehicle and tried to escape when an officer, who’s been with the Fresno Police Department since 2022, fired shots, Casto said.
The suspect ended up colliding with fences and parked vehicles and remained in the vehicle for several hours before he was taken into custody. The suspect didn’t have any gunshot wounds. SWAT was called in to help to get the suspect into custody.
Casto said prior to leaving the home, he was visiting a friend.
The suspect was on parole related to prior firearms and domestic violence charges, Casto said. He also had a warrant for his arrest, related to an assault.
Officers blocked off Recreation Avenue, near Belmont Avenue for several hours.
