One Arrested, Another Wanted in Connection with Shooting that Injured 5-Year-Old Boy
Above: Angel Espinoza
Photo credit: Fresno PD
“Shortly before 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2024, officers from the Southeast Policing District responded to a residence in the 4400 block of East Hedges Avenue regarding a report of a 5-year-old who had just been shot. As officers responded, additional shooting victims were reported at the scene. When officers arrived, they discovered that the 5-year-old boy had been driven to the hospital. Officers found two additional shooting victims, a 17-year-old male and a 27-year-old female. Both were transported to CRMC for treatment.
While actively investigating at the scene, officers were advised of a shooting victim arriving at CRMC. This shooting victim, later identified as 39-year-old Juvenal Espinoza, was later arrested for felony conspiracy charges.
The investigation determined that there was a party at the residence. Juvenal Espinoza attended the party and got into a physical altercation. Juvenal left the party, went to his residence, and brought back two of his brothers, including 41-year-old Angel Espinoza. Once back at the party, Juvenal and his brothers started another physical altercation. During the fight, Angel pulled out a handgun and began shooting into the crowd. Angel shot not only the 3 initially reported victims (5-year-old, 17-year-old and the 27-year-old), he also accidentally shot his two brothers. After the shots were fired, the three brothers fled in a vehicle.
As mentioned previously, Juvenal Espinoza was contacted at the hospital for a gunshot wound to his wrist and arrested for felony conspiracy charges. The second brother, who had a graze wound to his leg, was interviewed and not charged. Angel Espinoza is currently wanted for 5 counts of felony assault with a deadly weapon.
None of the gunshot wounds were life threatening.
Anyone with information on this case (Case# 240405040917) should contact Fresno Police Department Felony Assault Detective Daniel Mallery at 559-621-2446. Anyone calling with information can remain anonymous by contacting Crime Stoppers at 498-STOP (7867).”
