Police search for suspect after 3 injured in 4 random shootings within hours of each other

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Monday night, Fresno police are searching for a person who they say opened fire on multiple people around town -- seemingly at random.

Three people were hit in four different shootings Monday but all are believed to have the same gunman who is still on the run Monday night but left his car behind.

The first shooting happened around 10:30 Monday morning near Thorne and Whitesbridge followed by one at Ventura and B Street, then Los Angeles and E Street, before the fourth shooting near McKinley and Normal around 3:45 Monday afternoon.

Police say the first victim at Whitesbridge and Thorne was walking down an alley with a Christmas tree when the suspect pulled up in a sedan and started firing at him without saying a word.

Lt. Carl McKnight of the Fresno Police Department said, "Person didn't say anything the victim actually first thought it was fireworks going off because it's New Years Day but then he felt pain in his leg and realized he'd been shot."

That man is expected to be okay.

Police say the suspect shot at people in the next two incidents but no one was hit. But Monday afternoon the suspect started firing at two men sitting on a porch in Southeast Fresno hitting both of them.

The 17 and 23-year-old victims were hit in the chest and leg but both are also expected to recover. Shortly after that shooting, police say the suspect lost control of his car and crashed leaving it behind and taking off running.

"We'll end up identifying him. It's just going to take a matter of time. It's what usually happens when we've got a car left at a crime scene and a person's run from it. They don't realize the technology we have and the time and effort we will put into solving something," Lt. McKnight said.

At this time police say it's too early to tell if these shootings are in any way related to the other random shootings occurring in Fresno and Madera counties.