Photo: Matthew Gonzales
Fresno Police were called to 3rd and Mono Ave for a car crash involving a single vehicle on December 17th at 1:15AM. Upon arriving, officers encountered one male in the back seat of the car, 25-year old Steven Anthony Banda, who had been shot multiple times. He was alive at the time and was and transferred to Community Regional Medical Center where he later died from his injuries.
Investigation revealed Banda was shot on Butler and 3rd Avenue, about a half-mile south of where he was found. Further investigation led detectives to suspect 24-year old Matthew Gonzales for the murder of Banda. Gonzalez is a confirmed Lewis Street Bulldog Gang member with a long RAP sheet detailing his criminal history.
Detectives were granted a Ramey Warrant for Gonzales’ arrest on December 27th. A Ramey Warrant bypasses the DA and is granted directly by a judge if the judge believes probable cause exists and sufficiently evidence supports the suspect has committed a crime.
The next day, detectives were informed the suspect was in Norwalk. Fresno Homicide and Tactical Team Detectives traveled to Norwalk and collaborated with the Los Angeles County Sheriff Office to track Gonzales to a hotel. Los Angeles Sheriff Deputies arrested Gonzales without incident.
He was booked into Fresno County Jail on December 31st and is facing a felony murder charge.
Detectives believe this was an isolated, gang related shooting. It was Fresno’s 32nd and last murder of 2018.
