Suspect, 18, critically injured in Central Fresno shooting

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno police say a physical fight between a couple led to an officer-involved shooting early Saturday morning. But questions remain about who fired the shot that hit one of the suspects.

The shooting happened just before 2 a.m. in Central Fresno. Officers were responding to a domestic disturbance call near McKenzie and Park avenues when a suspect was shot. The suspect who was shot is listed in critical but stable condition. Police say the 18-year-old man was at a graduation party when the chaos broke out.

It was just before 2 a.m. and 911 dispatchers got a frantic call. A woman told them her car was stolen and she was hit in the face by her ex-boyfriend. The victim had to run to a house to get help from people at a graduation party. That's when her ex-boyfriend showed up.

"It is our understanding that at some point he had grabbed her to try to get her to go back with him," said Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer.

The chief said that's when three people from the party started beating up the domestic violence suspect. A dispatcher was still on the line, when the first officer stepped out of his car. "He heard a distinct gunshot that was fired from inside of that crowd," said Dyer.

Police said a .22-caliber revolver was found at the scene with an empty shell casing in the cylinder. But they don't know who fired it. Seconds after police heard a gunshot, they saw the suspect chasing someone with a gun.

"He shined his spotlight on that individual. That person then turned and began to run back in a northbound direction towards his vehicle," said Dyer. He also said the officer fired three rounds at the 18-year-old running toward his car. The suspect was taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the chest. But police are still trying to figure out if he was hit by an officer or another suspect at the party.

"Based on the dispatch tape, the individual stated he had been shot prior to the officer firing the three rounds," said Dyer.

The domestic violence suspect, who police say triggered the incident, was arrested a short time later at his home down the street. Once police get more information from doctors, they'll get a better understanding of who exactly shot the suspect.

Meanwhile, the officer who fired his gun is on administrative leave.