Fresno man's lifestyle may have contributed to his death, police say

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno Police say a 25-year-old man's lifestyle may have contributed to his death. Edward Contreras was gunned down near McKenzie and San Pablo Wednesday night.

Detectives are still gathering information about the victim. They're also questioning witnesses and trying to figure out what happened in the hours leading up to the shooting, but they say the victim had a troubled past.

Officers and crime scene tape flooded the streets of McKenzie and San Pablo Avenues, shortly after shots rang out on Wednesday night. Police found the victim near an apartment complex and suffering.

Lt. Mark Salazar said, "We know that two males approached the victim who was outside near a car - shots were fired, the victim ran into an apartment complex and fell at the complex."

That victim died at the scene. Friends call Edward Contreras "Andy" on social media.

Lt. Salazar added, "Looking at the victim he is a bulldog gang member - he is on parole for home invasion."

Detectives are investigating whether that has any sort of connection to the shooting. Edward was visiting friends in the area, a neighborhood that police say is saturated with rival gang members. But none of that changes their investigation into the 21st homicide of the year.

"We are treating him as a victim even though his lifestyle may have played a role in his murder," Lt. Salazar explained.

Detectives say two men were seen running away from the scene and getting into a light colored vehicle.