2 Teens Killed in Northeast Fresno Triple Shooting

Two 15-year-old boys were killed and a 14-year-old boy was injured after an early-morning shooting in northeast Fresno, according to the latest public updates from Fresno police and local media. The shooting happened near Fourth Street and East San Jose Avenue, and investigators say the group of teens appears to have been targeted.

What happened

Police said officers from Fresno’s Northeast Policing District responded at about 1:20 a.m. Monday after reports of gunfire near Fourth Street and East San Jose Avenue. FOX26 reported callers told dispatch they heard 10 to 12 shots. When officers arrived, they found multiple juvenile victims in and around the area.

According to GV Wire’s summary of Fresno Police information, one 15-year-old boy was found at East San Jose Avenue and Bond Street and was pronounced dead at the scene. A second 15-year-old boy was found on East San Jose between Bond and Fourth and later died at the hospital. A 14-year-old boy, shot in the upper body, was found several blocks away near Bond Street and East San Ramon Avenue and was reported in stable condition after surgery.

What we know right now

ABC30 reported the four teens, ages 14 to 17, had been returning from area restaurants to a friend’s house in the neighborhood when the shooting happened. Police say a 17-year-old in the group was not hit. Fresno Police Chief Mindy Casto said the attack appears to have been intentional, and detectives believe the group was targeted.

Chief Casto also said investigators see gang involvement, but she said it is still too early to say whether that was the motive. Police have not released suspect information, though the chief said investigators believe a vehicle was involved.

ABC30 also reported the shooting happened just a block from Hoover High School and an elementary school. Chief Casto said the two deaths are the 8th and 9th homicides in Fresno this year, compared with 4 murders at this point last year, and that shootings overall are ahead of last year as well.

What has not been released

As of the latest reporting I could verify, police had not publicly released the victims’ names, any suspect description, an arrest announcement, or a confirmed motive. Public reporting also does not yet explain exactly what led up to the shooting beyond police saying the teens were walking back from restaurants to a friend’s house.

Final takeaway

The biggest updated fact in this case is that what first appeared to be a single-fatality triple shooting is now being reported as a double homicide involving two 15-year-olds, with a 14-year-old survivor and a fourth teen who was not physically injured. Right now, police are treating it as a targeted, intentional shooting, but many of the details people want most — especially who pulled the trigger and why — remain unanswered.

Quick Facts

Location: Near Fourth Street and East San Jose Avenue in northeast Fresno.
Time: About 1:20 a.m. Monday; FOX26 said callers reported shots at 1:21 a.m.
Victims: Two 15-year-old boys killed; one 14-year-old boy injured.
Fourth teen: A 17-year-old was not injured.
Condition of surviving victim: Stable after surgery, per public reporting.
Police theory: Investigators say the group was targeted and the shooting appears intentional.
Gang connection: Chief Casto said there is gang involvement, but motive remains unclear.
Possible vehicle involved: Police said they believe a vehicle was involved.
Tip line: Fresno homicide detectives A. Lopez (559) 621-2443, N. Carr (559) 621-2445, or Crime Stoppers (559) 498-STOP.