Visalia Police continue to investigate gang-related deadly shooting at gas station

Monday, October 17, 2016
Visalia Police continue to investigate gang-related deadly shooting at gas station
Visalia Police say someone walked up to a car near a gas pump at a Flyers gas station just after midnight Monday, and fired several rounds, hitting two men sitting inside. One died at the scene, while the other is expected to survive.

VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- Visalia Police say someone walked up to a car near a gas pump at a Flyers gas station just after midnight Monday, and fired several rounds, hitting two men sitting inside. One died at the scene, while the other is expected to survive.

"The suspects were not on scene when officers arrived," Sgt. Damon Maurice said. "Detectives from our violent crimes unit responded and took over the investigation. They have several leads that they're currently working on."

Police believe the shooting was gang-related. But aren't releasing specific details on the relationship between the shooter and victims. A longtime friend of the man who died stopped by the scene later Monday morning.

He says his friend was in his late 20s, lived in Visalia, and was a loving family man. Police say they're attempting to contact witnesses and review any security video from around the area. The gas station is open 24-hours.

"We do know that the Flyers gas station did have video at the time of the shooting that is helping with our investigation," Maurice said.

The surviving victim has spoken with detectives. But police are hoping to get more information from him, in hopes of identifying a suspect, or suspects in the case.

This is Visalia's seventh homicide of 2016.