FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Fresno PD confirms that 46-year-old Paul Mesa has been taken into custody after a 10-hour standoff at the Philippine Mini-Mart in Central Fresno.
Police were called out at 10pm Wednesday night after getting calls of a male and female arguing and then shots fired. When police arrived on scene, they found only Mesa who had chained the door of the market. As cops approached, they heard more shots fired. A police perimeter was established and negotiations were ongoing throughout the night and early morning.
SWAT team showed up this morning and broke down the door of the market. A robot was sent in to gain a visual of the suspect. Mesa was apprehended by a Poilice K-9 and arrested on on charges of possession of ammunition, felony terrorist threats, resisting arrest, and outstanding warrants for traffic, violation of a restraining order, and assault on a peace officer.
Fresno PD says Mesa appears to have been squatting in the market at night, and that the owner had no knowledge he was doing so. Lieutenant Joe Gomez says he was not sure if police had made contact with the woman in the incident, but there was no sign of blood or other evidence that would show she had been harmed.
Mesa is currently In the hospital with minor injuries from the Police K-9. Police believe he may have mental issues and could have been under the influence.
Blackstone Ave. between Clinton and Weldon are now open after having been shut down during the standoff.
