SQUAW VALLEY - Detectives with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office have arrested 31 year old Buford King of Squaw Valley. He has been booked into the Fresno County Jail and is facing felony charges of assault with a firearm, possession of explosives and making destructive devices without a permit. His bail is set at $65,000.
On Sunday, August 20th, Fresno County Sheriff’s Office dispatchers received a report of a man who had been shot in the foot. Deputies met with the victim at a local hospital and learned that Buford King was responsible for the shooting that took place in the area of Squaw Valley Road and Sand Creek Road. The two men know each other. The victim was in the area doing construction work at the time he was shot. The motive for the shooting is unknown at this time.
Detectives had information that Buford King may be in possession of explosives, so a SWAT operation was constructed prior to making any attempts to contact King. On Thursday, August 24th, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team, FSO homicide detectives, members of Clovis Police EOD (bomb squad) and Fresno County Environment Health Services went to Kings home located on the 37000 block of Squaw Valley Road. The SWAT team was able to get King to come out of his home willingly and they took him into custody. A search warrant was then executed to perform a further search of the property. Deputies found chemicals commonly used for making explosives and Clovis Police EOD safely collected and disposed of them.
As part of the search, homicide detectives looked into allegations that this property may be related to two reported missing persons cases. One of those men is 62 year old Donnie Lee of Squaw Valley. He was last seen November 1st, 2016 in the area of Squaw Valley Rd. and Sand Creek Rd. in Squaw Valley. He was reported missing to the Sheriff’s Office on November 22nd, 2016. The other missing man is 35 year old Aleksey Shelest. He was last heard from on May 18th, 2016 when he was in Squaw Valley. He was reported missing to the Sheriff’s Office on May 29th, 2016.
Detectives searched King’s property both Thursday and Friday. As part of their search, cadaver dogs were utilized. At this point, detectives have not found any evidence to indicate Buford King is responsible for the disappearances of Donnie Lee and / or Aleksey Shelest. This remains an ongoing investigation.
Anyone with information related to these cases is asked to please contact Detective Jose Diaz at (559) 600-8206 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498- 7867. You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.