17-year-old killed in shooting in northeast Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A 17-year-old boy has been shot to death in northeast Fresno. Police found him in a car outside a church on Chestnut near Ashlan. Neighbors said they heard the gunshot around 7:30 p.m. and moments later, police were here.

Richard Martens said he heard a gunshot Thursday night as he was walking out the front door of his home in northeast Fresno.

"It sounded like a poof. I thought it was a car door slamming."

Moments later police showed up and found a 17-year-old boy inside a black Acura. Investigators said he was unconscious and paramedics rushed him to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

"They attempted life-saving efforts but unfortunately, he didn't make it," said Lt. Mindy Casto, Fresno Police Department.

Leading up to the violence Lt. Casto said there was some kind of argument behind this church.

"One witness said that they did hear a dispute from several male voices and then shots fired."

She said there were two to three shots and the car the boy was in drifted to a stop on Chestnut, north of Ashlan. Star Bartlett was walking home at the time. She saw the flashing lights-- and whoever pulled the trigger was already gone.

"It's scary-- it's time to move," said Bartlett.

"My neighbors have children, so it's kind of scary. There's a schoolyard across the street too," said Martens.

As for a motive, investigators aren't sure and they say it's too early to say whether gangs or drugs were involved.

Witnesses say family of the victim came to the scene. They were looking for him after he borrowed a car and didn't take it back.