Innocent Bystander Dies in Fresno Shooting | ABC30 Fresno

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By ABC30

Monday, November 16, 2009

FRESNO, Calif. Meanwhile, Edward Solorio's family says he was a good person, who was at the wrong place at the wrong time. They say he was on his way home from buying milk for his kids when he was shot.

Edward Rodriguez was at church Sunday morning when he found out his step-brother, 38-year-old Arthur Solorio had been shot and killed at a Central Fresno apartment complex Saturday night. "Shock you know, all these memories of him just flashed by. The big thing is he was a good person, he was a good man, he loved his family."

Solorio's family says he was a hard-working mechanic with two children, five-year old Salina and three-year-old Anthony. Fresno police say the father of two was an innocent victim.

He was walking back home from the store when he was shot in the alley way of this apartment complex.

Just before he was shot, a fight broke out at a nearby birthday party between people at the party and a man in a car. The man returned shortly after and began shooting, striking three of the partygoers.

The shooter then started chasing other partygoers into the alleyway, where Solorio was hit.

"I heard four or five shots and I sat up and thought oh my god and then it was like boom, boom, boom, after that, just like a boom, boom," said witness Celia Matinzo.

Lt. Tony Bennink with the Fresno Police Department said, "Solorio is not involved in any gangs. There are indications that people at the birthday are involved in gangs and gang activity."

Fresno Police have not made any arrests in Saturday's shooting. But Solorio's family says they're hopeful that the person responsible for his death will pay for the pain they've caused.

"We want justice, no doubt about that and we would like the Fresno PD to pursue that. There's a family involved that's been affected, a ripple effect across the family with the children, my parents and myself, growing up with him, we want justice definitely," said Rodriguez.

The three others who were shot Saturday night were all treated and released from the hospital.

The shooting marks the 37th homicide in Fresno this year. Last year at this time, there were 36.

If you have any information about the shooting you are urged to call the Fresno Police Department.