After a 4-year-old was shot in July, Fresno Police crack down on rising gang

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Nine search warrants later, Fresno Police officers say they are taking down a new violent gang.

They said the members of "The Fly Boys" are responsible for at least one shooting involving a 4-year-old boy, the child was hit in the neck and wrist in July.

SWAT team members in armored cars served nine warrants across the city Thursday, trying to take down the gang that police say is quickly becoming the most active shooters.

"Often times they are driving or running as they are firing and it is not uncommon for one of these errant rounds to strike an innocent victim- including a child," Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer said. "And we saw that when a 4-year-old boy was shot in the neck. That round was not intended for that child."

For this reason, officers are working to take the dangerous people and guns from the streets. On Thursday, police said neighbors thanked them for cleaning up their neighborhoods and arresting Jeremiah Davis, Marquise Moore, Elias Muhammad and Deandre Steele. Police believe The Fly Boys aren't feuding with one specific gang but many.

"When these violent gang members go into neighborhoods, go around schools and they encounter whatever opposition they find, their rival gang members, they start firing their weapons," Dyer said.

The police chief is especially concerned by the number of daytime shootings in or around populated areas where children are at or near. Officers are still looking for Donald Steele, Melvin Franklin, Bryan Lovelace, and Marquise Dotson - all are considered armed and dangerous.

Three guns were taken. One was stolen and police said they are the same caliber weapon as shell casings found at several locations throughout the city - including two in front of Williams Elementary.