A fatal shooting in Madera claims the life of a man, and family members are left mourning the loss.
One man was killed last night in what appears to be a gang related shooting in. Two others were injured, including an 8-year-old girl.
Three men have been arrested in connection to the shooting. Two of the men in custody are underage, and police say that makes this crime even more disturbing.
The reality is hard to grasp for 14-year-old Soccoro Vasquez.
"I was in shock, I didn't know what to do. I thought it was just like a joke or something," says Socorro Vasquez.
Socorro's older brother, 18-year-old Alejandro Vasquez, was murdered last night. Police say the crime was gang-related.
"I don't even know why they had to do that to him, like they wouldn't even care if he would die or not, they wouldn't even care," says Vasquez.
It happened on Wessmith Way, right around the corner from the victim's home. Vasquez was walking with some friends and arguing with a group of five people inside a car.
Madera Police Chief Steve Frazier says, "Words were exchanged, gang signs were thrown by both parties and we know that there were challenges to fight and the suspect produced a hand gun and fired off several rounds."
Yessica Alvarez watched it all go down.
"The people just came up to him and they started shooting at him. He told me to run," says Alvarez.
Vasquez was shot in the chest. Police say his brother was shot in the foot. The bullets also hit a third person; an innocent 8-year-old girl who was walking with her uncle some 40 yards away.
"She got shot that was a tragic event but she's home and we're very pleased with that. That she wasn't seriously injured or killed," says Chief Frazier.
Cecilia Lugo doesn't know the victims, but she still offered condolences to the family. Her teenage son was injured in a shooting just a couple of weeks ago.
Cecilia Lugo says, "It seriously has to stop. I'm really speechless about everything because this is a continuous thing, as though it's the thing to do nowadays."
Police say Luis Gonzalez, 18, was in the car where the shots were fired. He was arrested on probation violation. Two minors were also arrested in connection with the shooting.
Police say they don't believe the men in custody actually shot Vasquez. Chief Frazier says investigators are following strong leads and expect another arrest to come soon.
TXT 24
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