Fresno Police officers say they have seen a spike in graffiti-related violence. Investigators say in the past three months there have been eight tagging related shootings in the City of Fresno.
Officers say rival taggers are beginning to act more like gang members and crews are now carrying guns.
"What we're seeing kids being killed; being shot over graffiti. Tagging crews are becoming more violent and that's a concern for us," said Capt. Randy Dobbins with the Fresno Police Dept.
The graffiti investigation helped police identify the suspects in a recent homicide. They say the shooting on Turner and Maple Avenue on March 8th was directly related to feuds between two tagger crews.
One suspect, Shane Bernal, has been arrested in connection with the murder. Police are still looking for two others, Jesus Melgarejo and Carlos Luna.