Transgender victim shot and killed in Central Fresno, Dyer says

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- According to police-- no one called 911 after multiple gunshots were fired around 3:00 Wednesday morning in Central Fresno.

After they received the gunshot detection through their shot spotter system, Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer said officers got to the scene in four minutes. Officers found the victim lying in the street with multiple gunshot wounds to her upper body.

The coroner identified the victim as Imer Alvarado.

Dyer said, "What appears to have occurred is some type of disturbance that started in the alley way and that disturbance between two individuals ultimately carried out onto the street."

That alley way is behind the house Mercy Moreno lives in-- she said gunshots are not unusual to hear in this neighborhood off of Belmont and 4th street. She said after hearing the gunshots she looked out her door, but didn't see anything.

"My daughter said 'did you hear that? The shots?' I go. 'yeah,' she said, 'did you hear that someone saying ow ow help me?'"

After police got to the scene, the victim was transported to the hospital where they said she died about 30 minutes later.

"We do not know what the motive is behind this particular crime, we don't know if there is a hate crime involved since this person does appear to be a transgender," said Dyer.

Chief Dyer also said police have had previous contacts with this victim over the years and said she was deaf, but does not know if that played a factor in this shooting.

Police said they cannot give information on a description of the suspect right now but can say they are looking for one male. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Fresno Police Department.