HANFORD, Calif. (KMJ/KFSN) — A man has died after he was shot while driving in Hanford on Wednesday afternoon.
The shooting happened at 1:15 pm near 10th Avenue and Lacey Boulevard.
Hanford police say a driver had stopped to make turn when someone opened fire on him from black car.
The man, identified by his family as 23-year-old Cruz Avalos, was taken to the hospital, where he later died.
His family says he was returning to work Wednesday afternoon at Borba’s Autobody shop after his lunch break, which he always took at home.
Just blocks away, his life was cut short when he was shot in the busy intersection in broad daylight.
“At a busy intersection, one of our busiest intersections, right at lunch time,” said Hanford Police Lt. Justin Vallin.
“Is very concerning for us.”
Security camera video captures the moment a white car rolls to a stop after Avalos was shot while driving down Lacey Boulevard.
A photo obtained by our news partner ABC30 by a news insider shows at least seven bullet holes in the driver side rear window and door.
Hanford police couldn’t say how many shots were fired, but did say it didn’t seem like bullets hit any nearby buildings or anyone else.
Police say Avalos had stopped to make a turn from Lacey onto 10th when someone began shooting from a black car.
As the white car comes to a stop, the potential suspect vehicle is seen speeding away.
It’s unclear if he was targeted or if the shooting was random.
Avalos’s mom, Veronica Parker, sent a statement that read in part:
“My son lit up the room. He always had everyone laughing… He was a jokester. He had a kind heart and was known by many! He is very loved and will be missed deeply!”
Now, she’s hoping for justice for her first born son.
Police are relying on witness accounts and other video in the area to help identify the driver and car.
“If anybody saw anything in that intersection, saw suspect vehicle, or know who the suspects are to definitely give us a call. We’ll be here all night long trying to solve this case,” said Lt. Vallin.
With the white car just sitting at the side of the road, several people we spoke with say they thought it was just a car accident at first.
They were shocked to find out it was the scene of a homicide.
You can read the full statement from Parker about her son, below:
Cruz Avalos, my son, lit up the room. He always had everyone laughing. He was a huge sports fan. He loved Loweriders, the Raiders, the Lakers, and loved to work on cars with his Dad. He was a loving Son, a Big Brother, a Grandson, a Godson, a Boyfriend, a Dog Dad, a loyal friend, and a Best Friend to his Brother. He went to school at Fresno City and got a certificate in Automotive Collision Repair Technology. He was employed at Borba’s Auto body for two years. He was a jokester. He had a kind heart and was known by many! He is very loved and will be missed deeply! He has a huge family and we are all devastated! He was taken from us too soon and my son will get justice!
