FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Two people were injured after gunfire erupted from one vehicle into another early Tuesday morning near Blackstone and Nees avenues, according to Fresno police.
Police said the shooting happened just after 4 a.m. as three people were traveling southbound on Blackstone Avenue from Nees Avenue.
“Preliminary information that we have is at the victims for traveling southbound Blackstone from ees when an unknown suspect or suspects started shooting at them,” Sgt. Diana Vega said.
Investigators said the suspects fired from another vehicle. Police told Action News the incident began as a confrontation between the two groups near Palm and Nees avenues.
After the encounter, the victims left in their vehicle. As they drove away, they realized they were being followed, and the suspects opened fire, police said.
Authorities said there is no evidence that anyone inside the victims’ vehicle returned fire. The driver was not injured and transported the two passengers to a nearby hospital.
“Units responding to Kaiser hospital for a victim of a shooting,” according to radio traffic.
Police said a 21-year-old passenger was struck at least once in the upper body and was later transferred to Community Regional Medical Center. Another passenger, a 23-year-old man, was shot in the legs. He was treated and released from the hospital.
The shooting occurred near some of Fresno’s largest shopping centers, alarming nearby business owners and shoppers.
“It’s sad to see this happen on this side of town. We can’t really expect,” said Dawn Veng, who has owned 15 Tea for 10 years and whose business is located near the scene.
“Whether it’s here at River Park or Southeast Fresno or Northwest Fresno wherever it’s terrible,” Rosemary Espinosa said, “I’m really shocked. It’s too bad. How can we stop it?”
Police said the shooting does not appear to be connected to any other recent shooting incidents and is not believed to be gang-related.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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Listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern.
