FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — As investigators continue searching for the gunman in a suspected road rage shooting on Highway 180, family, friends and community members are rallying around a 22-year-old Reedley-area man who remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.
Angel De La Cruz was returning home from a volleyball tournament with friends Saturday night when authorities say a suspected road rage encounter turned violent.
According to those close to him, someone in a blue Honda Civic shot De La Cruz in the head, causing him to lose an eye.
“Just trying to get home. That’s all he was trying to do. Trying to get home,” said family friend Edgar Baltazar.
Valley Crime Stoppers is offering a $3,000 reward for information that leads to the identification and arrest of the shooter.
De La Cruz serves as an assistant boys’ volleyball coach at Immanuel High School. Baltazar, who works with him, visited him in the hospital days after the shooting and said seeing him in critical condition was difficult.
“I mean, to me, it wasn’t Angel, and I think that’s what kind of hurt me the most,” Baltazar said.
Beyond the volleyball court, De La Cruz is also active at Redeemer’s Church in Reedley, where friends say he is known for his positive attitude and willingness to support others.
Baltazar said the response from the community was immediate, with large numbers of people gathering to support De La Cruz and his family.
In the days following the shooting, supporters organized a car wash fundraiser to help De La Cruz and his family with expenses. Friends say the effort reflects the same spirit of generosity and encouragement that De La Cruz brings to others.
“We’re not going to fight back with evil. We’re not going to be bitter about this. We’re going to fight with joy, with prayer, and just continue to do what Angel does, which is lift up the spirits of everyone around him,” Baltazar said.
“We see several individuals who submit information that don’t even want to accept reward money. They just simply want to do the right thing,” Magarian said.
Baltazar said the support shown in recent days has been a powerful reminder of the community’s strength.
“The entire community coming to support a young man that a lot of people may not know, but they remember seeing a smile coming to church on Sunday. I mean, that is exactly what I love about this,” he said.
Authorities have not announced any arrests in the case. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Valley Crime Stoppers or the California Highway Patrol.
