Local News

Crimestoppers Reward For Info on 2015 Fresno Murder

FRESNO - On Saturday, August 29, 2015, at approximately 1:30a.m., Fresno Police Department dispatch received a 911 call of multiple shooting victims in the area of Shaw Avenue and Valentine Avenue in Northwest Fresno. Officers arrive and contact brothers Deandre Howard 1/7/94 and Dontay Howard 6/6/99 suffering from gunshot wounds.

Both brothers were transported to the hospital where Deandre Howard succumbed to his injuries. Both brothers were not gang members and not involved in any criminal activity at the time of the shooting. Deandre Howard was a standout student/athlete at Edison High School and recently honored with a monument near the baseball field. At the time of his death, Deandre Howard was continuing his education and baseball career at Fresno City College.

Murder Suspects Arrested in Stereo & DJ Outlet/Mari’s Jewelry Murder

FRESNO - On Saturday, August 5, 2017 the Fresno Police Department dispatch received a Shot-Spotter notification at Stereo & DJ Outlet/Mari’s Jewelry store on the 4000 block of East Kings Canyon. Fresno PD dispatch then received a call of a shooting victim at the same location. Officer’s arrived at the business and found the male adult victim had sustained gunshot wounds. Officer’s and EMS personnel provided first aid/CPR to the victim, who was then transported to CRMC. The victim, Christopher Leon (22) succumbed to his injuries shortly after he arrived at the hospital.

Homicide Investigators obtained information about the shooting. Suspects entered the business and looked at jewelry. The suspects attempted to run out of the business with the jewelry and were confronted by the stores employees. During the robbery, the business employees and suspects were involved in a physical confrontation outside the store. One of the suspects produced a firearm and shot the victim during the incident. The suspects fled the area in a vehicle.

DA Clears Madera Police Officer in OIS of Mentally Ill Suspect

MADERA – The Madera County District Attorney announced Monday that he has completed his investigation of the June 16^th officer involved shooting of a mentally ill suspect that posed a threat to the safety of the general public and police officers at his mother’s home.

The shooting happened around 6:45 pm. that Friday evening near Wessmith Way and Lake Street in Madera. Officer’s say Sergio Manuel Valdovinos (32) broke into a resident's car and was smashing the windows of other vehicles when they arrived. He then forcefully swung a four-foot long shovel handle at police officers several times while holding a “shield” before a Madera Police Officer fired his department issued handgun eight times at the suspect.

Downtown Fresno Policing Unit Arrest Gang Member with Stolen Firearm

FRESNO - Earlier this morning Fresno Police Officers Eric Hull and Matthew Besoyan, who are assigned to the Downtown Policing Unit, were working proactive patrol at the Travel Inn and Suites in the Parkway area of Southwest Fresno. The officers conducted a probation compliance check at the hotel room of Dana Macklin, who is a Fresno resident and known to frequent the Parkway area. Macklin is on probation for a narcotics related offense.

Downtown Policing Officers Robert Saenz and Sean Morris began to assist in the investigation and a probation compliance check was conducted in the hotel room where Macklin was staying. During the search of the room, officers located a 9mm semi-automatic handgun that had a laser attached to it. In addition, several 9mm hollow point style ammunition rounds were located for the firearm.

Proactive Policing Takes Another Criminal & Gun Off Fresno Streets

FRESNO - Officers from the Fresno Police Department were conducting proactive patrol Monday in the area of Parkway and Belmont Avenue. They observed a Jeep traveling eastbound at Belmont Avenue and Highway 99 traveling at a high rate of speed. The vehicle made an evasive turn without signaling into a gas station which was closed for business.

A traffic enforcement stop was conducted for the violation and to investigate what purpose the driver had at the closed business. The driver was identified as John Graves (27). After a records check, Graves was found to be unlicensed and on court probation. Graves was also open to search and seizure. After a probation compliance search, Officers located a Taurus .45 caliber handgun in a backpack in the rear of the SUV.