A deadly burst of gunfire shattered a quiet Northeast Fresno neighborhood early Monday, leaving two teenagers dead and two others wounded in yet another bout of California violence.
A group of four teens who were seemingly targeted and ambushed around 1:30 a.m. near San Jose and 4th Streets–a stones throw from a local high school.
“They were returning from eating from a couple area restaurants to their friend’s house, who lived in the neighborhood, when it appears the shooting occurred,” Fresno Police Chief Mindy Casto said in a press conference.
Chief Casto characterized the shooting as a cold-blooded, intentional attack.
“It resulted in the shooting death of two 15-year-old victims being fatally wounded,” Casto said. “One 14-year-old was shot, originally in critical condition. It’s now reported he’s in stable condition.”
The fourth teen was not struck by the gunfire. “There is gang involvement. Whether it was motivated, I don’t know,” she said.
The deaths mark Fresno’s 8th and 9th homicides of the year.
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This time last year, authorities said that four murders had occurred–a sobering reference point.
Detectives spent Monday scouring the scene for clues, but the shooters remain in the wind. Chief Casto noted that while a getaway vehicle was likely used, police don’t have a description or surveillance images to release to the public yet.
