Fresno family pleas for answers after shooting leaves man dead

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The family of a young man murdered overnight is speaking out about the pain it has caused them.

Family members have identified the 22-year-old man as Robert Reynolds. Reynolds was shot at around 4 a.m. Sunday. He was rushed to the hospital where he died from his injuries.

Reynolds' family said he was a local rapper who took the time to mentor young musicians, so it's a shock to them why anyone would want to harm and shoot him multiple times in the back.

Like any family grappling with the loss of a loved one and there being no rhyme or reason for it, holding onto each other is the only thing to get them through the heartache and pain.

"He was killed for nothing," Reynolds' sister Charlotte Haynes said. "This is not about being in a gang. He just made music."

This family is no different. Their brother and son, Robert, was murdered in front of his apartment complex on Winery Avenue. Reynolds' mother Tina Price said she was there on the sidewalk as her youngest child took his last few breaths.

"I sat there while he was dying," she said. "And I just prayed as I was praying it's like a light came over me and my son and I just figured that was God telling me he's alright, he's with me."

Fresno Police are investigating what is now the 23rd homicide of the year.

"We don't have any reason to believe this is a random incident," Lt. Jon Papaleo of the Fresno Police Department said. "We believe the individuals possibly knew each other and that the individuals were involved in some kind of disturbance."

It's a disturbance Reynolds' family will now have to live with forever without him. And a candlelight memorial, surrounded by flowers, lights up the very spot Reynolds was killed. His mom and siblings stand together finding peace in knowing he's in a better place.

"I might cry baby but I remember you are my son," Price said. "He's just going with Jesus. His time was up, so he's just going with Jesus."

The family has started a GoFundMe account: https://www.gofundme.com/2odkpkc