Body found west of Firebaugh prompts homicide investigation

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Fresno County Sheriff's Office is investigating a homicide near Firebaugh. Deputies found a man's body next to a canal near Nees and Jerrold avenues around 1:30 a.m. Saturday after two people called to report they had witnessed a murder.

Detectives say the victim was between 40 and 45 years old and appears to have died from a gunshot wound, but they're not sure yet who pulled the trigger.

"We have detained a person of interest. We haven't made an arrest yet, but we're talking to this person based off of some evidence that has been found," said Sgt. Joe Smith with the Fresno County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities are not releasing that person's name yet, and they are still working to identify the victim. It's not clear what the two eyewitnesses were doing in the area at the time of the shooting. This is the fourth homicide this year in Fresno County.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Detective Jose Diaz at (559) 600-8206.