Two Arrested in Connection to Fatal Shooting of Fresno Man
Above: Adavier Thomas | All photos courtesy of Fresno PD
Two individuals have reportedly been arrested on suspicion of murder following a shooting incident that occurred on Sunday, April 16, in Fresno.
According to a press release by the Fresno Police Department, the Southwest Policing District officers heard multiple gunshots in the area of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and California Avenue, and upon arrival, they observed a white Nissan Altima leaving a strip mall parking lot. The vehicle was subsequently pursued, and officers were able to stop it near the intersection of Church Avenue and Walnut Avenue, where they detained the two occupants.
The driver was identified as 39-year-old Faheem Muhammad, and the passenger was identified as 33-year-old Malcolm McCoy. During the pursuit, officers had reportedly seen the suspects discard two firearms out of the vehicle. Further investigations led to McCoy and Muhammad being identified as suspects in connection to the shooting.
The victim, identified as 40-year-old Adavier Thomas, was found by assisting officers at the shooting location and was transported to Community Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Following a review of surveillance video footage, McCoy and Muhammad were arrested on suspicion of murder, as well as several felony charges related to illegal firearm possession and evading.
The authorities have not released any further information on the motive behind the shooting or the relationship between the suspects and the victim. The investigation is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
It was not clear at press time whether the two suspects had retained legal counsel.
The Fresno Police Department is still reviewing additional video footage of the incident and is encouraging anyone with information relevant to the investigation to reach out. Individuals with information can contact Crime Stoppers at 498-STOP (7867), Fresno Police Department Homicide Detective M. Berumen at 559-621-2443, or Detective A. Nieto at 559-621-2415. Anyone wishing to leave tips can remain anonymous.