Police: Gang member pulls airsoft gun on rivals, who shoot him with actual handgun

A gang member who pulled a toy-like gun on gang rivals in southwest Fresno soon realized his mistake when one of the men pulled a real gun and shot the gang member in the back of the head.

It was the second time in less than a year that the 28-year-old man from Reedley had been shot by gang members.

Thursday’s shooting took place at 10:40 a.m. on Modoc Street, south of Stanislaus Street. Police Lt. Joe Gomez said officers who responded to reports of the shooting were told by witnesses there was a man in the area carrying a “six-shooter.”

Gomez said that the victim entered an alley where three men were and pointed what they believed to be a gun. One of the men pulled out his handgun and shot the victim in the back of his head.

The victim fled toward a “flophouse” where a relative lived, Gomez said. At the home, police found an airsoft or paintball gun that resembled a machine pistol. The victim allegedly wrapped the gun’s chamber to disguise it.

Detectives detained the three men at another nearby home, where one man admitted to shooting the victim. Police aren’t sure if he will be charged with assault with a deadly weapon.

The victim was not seriously injured and was able to talk to officers, Gomez said. He was taken to a hospital.

Several months ago, the victim was shot in the legs by Bulldog gang members, Gomez said.

This story was originally published October 15, 2015 at 11:50 AM with the headline "Police: Gang member pulls airsoft gun on rivals, who shoot him with actual handgun."