Shoot out in Southwest Fresno leaves 7 injured

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The sound of gunshots sent police scrambling to the scene of the shootout.

"We received a Shot Spotter alert with several rounds being fired, at least 10 rounds. And officers arrived and we received additional calls from citizens in the neighborhood reporting several different victims of a shooting," Lt. Steve Card with the Fresno Police Department said.

Police said it appeared to be a confrontation between ethnic gangs.

Card said, "A group of Hispanic males and Asian males, young adults, were involved in a confrontation in the vicinity of Mariposa and A Street."

Three victims were found on the street and sidewalk throughout the neighborhood. Four others had been taken to Community Regional Medical Center by others.

According to police, one victim was shot in the head and others were hit in the chest, abdomen, arms, and legs. Emergency physician, Dr. Rene Ramirez, said the trauma center was able to handle the sudden rush of victims.

"We are trained professionals, but unfortunately it's all too often we see things like that."

According to police, several of the victims were seriously hurt, but at last report their conditions were stable.

Community groups have been working to deal with the gang situation in West Fresno. Pastor Michael DeJuarez said incidents like this show the need for more outreach to gang members.

"It's all they know sometimes, but if we can show them something different we can stop the bullets from flying. We won't have as many stories as we hear about like last night."

The Fresno Police Street Gang Unit is investigating; their work is being hampered by the refusal of many of the victims or witnesses to provide any information.