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Family members tell Action News the victim is Delmon Newsome. Someone gunned him down -- right in front of Saints Rest Baptist Church late Wednesday afternoon.
Delmon Newsome is a member at Saints Rest Baptist church. The 21-year-old was baptized there within the past year. His family says he was trying to turn his life around. Now, he'll never have the chance.
Maurice Simpson responded angrily Wednesday ... after someone opened fire on his 21-year-old cousin, Delmon Newsome, right in front of the Saints Rest Baptist Church in Southwest Fresno ... where Newsome is a member.
"Let's see what kind of man you really are. Put the guns down and put your dukes up," said Simpson. "You live to see another day."
According to police, Newsome was walking to the store when at least one suspect approached him ... and a fight broke out.
That's when the gunmen started shooting. Bullets hit Newsome several times. It happened in broad daylight ... with several neighbors nearby.
People who knew Newsome say he had just gone back to school and had recently joined the church in an effort to get his life back on track.
His good friend, Dandre Pippins was with him just minutes before the shooting.
"I can definitely say his life before was a lot rougher than what he was trying to make it." Pippins said.
As family and friends mourn ... church members are doing the same. Pastor Shane Scott says he will do his best to help Newsome's family ... and make the area safer for those around.
"You know, the men in our church have pledged to police our neighborhood and to do a better job to reach out to the young people." Scott said.
There were people inside the church at the time of the shooting. In fact, a church member was the first to respond. Witnesses say they saw several people running from the scene.
If you have any information, call the Fresno Police Department.
