FRESNO - Homicide detectives with the Fresno County have booked 20-year-old Joseph Ornelas of Sanger into the Fresno County Jail. He faces one charge of murder and two charges of attempted murder. A Fresno County Sheriff’s deputy, working as part of the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, found and arrested Ornelas on Monday afternoon.
Around 2:00 am on Sunday, officers with the Fowler Police Department and deputies with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of shots fired at a home on the 200 block of E. Adams Ave. in Fowler. Three young men, in their late teens to early 20s, were found suffering from gunshot wounds. All were transported to the hospital.
One man, 20-year-old Lee Major III of Fresno, died at the hospital. The other two men received medical treatment and were later released.
Due to the nature of the case, Fowler Police requested homicide detectives with the Sheriff’s Office respond and take over the investigation. Detectives interviewed partygoers and analyzed evidence to try and gain a better understanding of what took place.
Detectives discovered the owners of the home where the shooting took place are in the process of selling the property. They decided to throw one last party before moving out. Many people showed up, some wanted, some unwanted. At one point, Major and other guests asked Ornelas to leave the party. Ornelas refused and an argument ensued. Ornelas then pulled out a gun and began shooting, striking Major and the two other men.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (559) 600-3111, Detective Juan Galindo (559) 600-8215 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP (7867), www.valleycrimestoppers.org You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.