SANGER – As part of the continued investigation into the shooting on the north side of the city that left two individuals with non-life-threatening injuries, local law enforcement has now made an arrest in the case.
On July 17, the Sanger Police Investigations Unit, Sanger PD Patrol Officers and the Fresno County Adult Compliance Team served a warrant at a residence in the 100 block of Lynn Court. During the warrant, the male suspect, 15, was taken into custody. The juvenile is a known member of the Sanger Olivio St. Bulldog Gang with a prior misdemeanor criminal history. He was booked into Fresno County Juvenile Justice Center on multiple felony charges, including attempted homicide.
As previously reported by the Times, the arrest stems from the incident that occurred around 5 p.m. on July 9, when a vehicle was driving in the area of Greenwood Avenue and Church Avenue in Sanger and encountered the shooting suspect walking in the area. According to a July 10 press release, one of the vehicle’s five passengers “exchanged words” with the suspect, who then produced a handgun from his person and began firing at the vehicle.
“The vehicle sped away, and the suspect ran in an unknown direction,” the press release said. Those involved described the suspect as a Hispanic man in his late teens wearing a cap, gray shirt, dark pants and black and white shoes.
Two individuals in the vehicle, Madera residents Rosalynn Moreno, 19, and Juan Manuel Morales, 18,sustained injuries as a result of the shooting. Moreno appeared to have a gunshot wound in her neck area and was transported to a local hospital, while Morales sustained superficial injuries possibly related to Moreno’s and was treated at the scene. Sanger PD said Moreno’s condition was last reported as stable.
Moreno and Morales were traveling with three friends, including a 16-year-old juvenile, the press release said. After the shooting occurred, the vehicle briefly stopped in the area of Church Avenue and Brehler Avenue and one of the passengers exited and left the area. Also at that time, the vehicle’s occupants placed a 911 call about their injuries.
According to the press release, the vehicle then continued west on Church Avenue to a gas station at the intersection of Church and Bethel Avenue, where they were then contacted by the responding police officers.
The remaining two uninjured occupants of the vehicle drove away from the scene at the gas station, “but were later stopped by officers and questioned regarding the shooting,” the press release said.
Sanger PD said they have not yet determined a motive for the incident. Anyone with more information about the situation should contact detective Sergio Arguello at 559-955-1755.
