Suspect fires BB gun at Easterby Elementary School 2nd graders

Thursday, September 29, 2016
Suspect fires BB gun at Easterby Elementary School 2nd graders
Fresno Police are still searching for a suspect after a second-grade boy was shot by a BB gun while on campus.

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno Police are still searching for a suspect after a second-grade boy was shot by a BB gun while on campus.

Parents rushed to pick up their children from Easterby Elementary School after hearing that a second-grade student was hit with a bb from a man firing from across the street. Fresno Police saidthe suspect was standing by the trash bins near an apartment complex when he took out the BB gun just after noon Wednesday.

"The one that got hit did not see the shooter. His friend was with him and it's right across the street by the admin building, it's lunchtime, they were taking this route to go to the cafeteria on the other side of the school," said Lt. Joe Gomez, Fresno Police Department.

One of the boys said the teen suspect took the BB gun out of his pants and fire towards them. At that point, the other boy felt a sting to his upper body.

They saw the man put the gun back in his pants and walk east down Tulare Avenue.

"It was not on lockdown, once that happened the two victims ran into the cafeteria as, I said it was lunchtime. They notified cafeteria personnel who then came back and notified the staff," said Gomez.

Parents were frightened to hear about the incident.

"It's terrifying and it's really scary to hear. I just pulled up to see the police cars and looked up what's going on-- it's really scary," said Logan Tennerelli, parent.

"I just can't believe someone would actually use a BB gun and around children-- it's just bad," said Randy Van, uncle of student.

Van said he rushed to the campus after he heard about the shooting so he could pick up his nephew.

"Honestly I think it's kinda scary because you want your kid to come to school, you want them to be safe, because of all the things happening in the world."

In a statement provided to Action News, Fresno Unified told us, "Fresno Unified is extremely appreciative of the quick response from Easterby Elementary staff and police this afternoon after two students reported seeing a suspicious person shoot a BB gun towards campus. Today's incident is unnerving for the entire Fresno Unified community and we are thankful no one was injured."