Man fires shots in response to ex-girlfriend’s new relationship

***Update***

After conducting several interviews, officers were able to identify Elijah Galaz, (22), as the suspect in the shootings. The Violent Crimes Unit took over the investigation and learned that Galaz and the victim had a prior dating relationship. Galaz became upset after learning that the victim was in a new dating relationship and discharged a firearm into her new partners residence.

On 11/07/2021, the Violent Crimes Unit obtained an arrest warrant for Elijah Galaz.

As detectives searched for Galaz, the victim called the Visalia Police Department reporting that Galaz was outside her residence. The Violent Crimes Unit learned that Galaz arrived at the victim’s residence and forced her into a vehicle at gunpoint.

Detectives were able to locate Galaz driving a white truck at the intersection of Hall and Houston. Officers initiated a traffic stop but Galaz failed to yield. After a short vehicle pursuit, officers lost sight of Galazs’s vehicle at the intersection of Encina and Oak. The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the search for Galaz.

After learning that Galaz was possibly in the City of Tulare, the Violent Crimes Unit requested the assistance of the Tulare Police Department. Violent Crimes Detectives were able to locate Galaz in the 1400 block of Westminister, in Tulare. The Tulare Police Department initiated a traffic stop but Galaz again failed to yield.

A vehicle pursuit was initiated and concluded after Galaz collided with a parked vehicle in the 200 block of Colorado Ave. After colliding with the parked vehicle, Galaz fled the scene on foot. He was located by a Tulare Police Department K-9 Unit and arrested without further incident.

The victim was located and suffered minor injuries from the traffic collision.

Galaz was booked at the Tulare County Pre-Trial Facility for Shooting at an Occupied Dwelling, Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Kidnapping, Failure to Yield, and Felony Hit and Run.