Authorities identify man killed in violent house party

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Authorities have now identified the man who died while trying to break up a house party in Fresno, he is 57-year-old Guy Birrenkott of Friant.

The Coroner's Office says Birrenkott's cause of death has still not been determined. Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer said there were no obvious signs of trauma. Some outside lab tests need to be done now which could take up to eight weeks, but the victim was found lying on the front lawn, not breathing and later died at the scene.

Windows that were shattered during a party at a northeast Fresno house are now boarded up, and candles cover the driveway spelling out the words "love" and "Guy." Guy Birrenkott is the name of the man who died after trying to get control of the chaos early Sunday morning.

"He was the perfect neighbor," said a neighbor who did not want to be identified. "I didn't know guy socially, but I knew him as a neighbor. He would never fail to wave, honk his horn or just stop say a few words."

They say Birrenkott rushed to the house after getting a call from a concerned neighbor. "Being the type of man he was, he came immediately to see what was happening because he cared about his neighbors," the neighbor said. "He was respectful and it's just heartbreaking, and it never should have happened."

Police say they first received calls about a party with loud music, marijuana smoke and possibly minors drinking around 1:30 a.m., but they were tied up searching for three shooting suspects.

They were not able to respond until about 45 minutes later when the calls escalated to reports of fighting in the street with bottles and rocks being thrown. That's when they found a teenager with a head wound and Birrenkott lying in the yard.

"It's my understanding this gentleman was an incredible human being," Dyer said. "And it's unfortunate that this happened and until we get the autopsy back, we won't now why it happened, why he died. But it's unfortunate because he was trying to do the right thing."

Dyer says there were up to 100 people at the party, and detectives are hoping someone will come forward with more information. He also said it appears Birrenkott still owned the home where he died, but a relative of his threw the party.