Photo: Damian Salinas
Fresno Southeast Patrol Officers were called to the area of Belmont and Backer around 4AM the morning of August 16, 2020; a man had been shot. When police arrived they found the gunshot-wounded 36-year old Joshua Thao. CPR was administered by the officers until EMS arrived and continued lifesaving efforts, but to no avail. Thao died from his injuries on scene.
Thao was at Belmont and Backer after a family member of his was involved in a traffic accident. The accident was a minor fender bender but both parties involved in the accident called friends and family to the scene. A brief verbal argument began. As it was dying down, witnesses described, an individual from one of the groups fired two shots. Thao was struck once and did not survive.
The suspect has been identified as 19-year old Damion Salinas. Considered armed and dangerous, an arrest warrant for the murder of Joshua Thao has been issued. The Fresno Police Department urges anyone with information about Salinas’s whereabouts to contact the department at 559-621-7000. Anonymous tips can be communicated by calling Crime Stoppers at 559-498-7867.
Photo from the FCSO
