An undercover narcotics investigation turned deadly, in Sanger. Adriana Silva was inside a Mcdonalds restaurant when she saw everything happen. She explained, “We saw cops running and shooting and everybody was ducked down and then next thing you know, they shot a guy over there.”
The Fresno Police Major Narcotics Unit was conducting a six month long investigation. Chief Jerry Dyer says the investigation led them to a shopping center parking lot on Academy and Church Avenue. An undercover informant was set to buy two pounds of methamphetamine from three suspects. Dyer explained, “Once the transaction was complete, undercover officers converged in an attempt to detain the three suspects, when one of the suspects produced a firearm in his hand.”
Dyer says one of the officers yelled at the suspect to drop his weapon, but he didn't. That's when one the officers fired at the suspect. The suspect tried running away. He was then shot by two other officers. Dyer says the man was taken to the hospital, where he later died. The two other suspects were arrested and booked into jail for sales of narcotics. The Fresno County Sheriff's Department is now investigating the shooting. The incident has people who live in the area shaken up. Silva expressed, “I was shocked because this never happens here. This is a peaceful town.”
Fresno County Sheriff's Investigators are not releasing the suspects’ names at this time. The investigation is still ongoing.
The three officers involved in the shooting have been put on paid administrative leave.
TXT 24
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