Suspect in shooting of Fresno police officer and homicide identified

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno police have released the name of the suspect who allegedly killed a man in southeast Fresno and then shot an officer on Saturday.

Officers were investigating a ShotSpotter activation near Platt and 8th around 5 pm when the gunman, 40-year-old Andy Morales, returned to the scene and shot the sergeant multiple times as he was working in his patrol car.

The bullets went through the door and hit the sergeant's legs.

"It was basically door to door as he pulled up to the patrol car and opened fire," interim Chief Mindy Casto explained.

"The suspect continued driving on. The sergeant being struck with gunfire, had the presence of mind to activate his body camera at that moment and initiate a really short pursuit."

Morales then got out of his car and continued to shoot at the sergeant.

"Numerous gunshots were fired, both from the suspect, from sergeant involved, and about 49 seconds elapsed before another officer was able to arrive," Chief Casto said.

Two officers arrived and fired at Morales.

At least a dozen gunshots can be heard whizzing through the air in a video obtained by Action News.

Neighbors say it was a terrifying night.

"We didn't know what direction these bullets were flying from," said a neighbor named Araceli.

"We didn't know if it was directly in front of us to the right, to the left, so I mean, it was just panic like get down to the floor like, do not get like, get down to the floor and crawl out of that room."

Police say Morales was struck about seven times and died at the hospital.

The sergeant is expected to be okay.

"I truly believe, knowing the sergeant and knowing what what he has said to me, it was to keep this community safe as well, because the suspect that would attack a police officer isn't going to stop with a police officer," Chief Casto said.

The sergeant is a 21-year veteran of the force who Mayor Jerry Dyer says showed true heroism.

"He put his life in incredible danger when he responded to this incident; he was relentless and not allowing this individual to escape, and he acted with extreme valor and extreme courage," Dyer said.

Police say Morales was a danger to the public as a gang member who has been arrested multiple times for weapons violations, domestic violence-related charges, and driving under the influence.

Chief Casto said drugs were found near the suspect so investigators believe he could've been under the influence at the time, but that is still unknown.

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