Two Fresno Police officers shoot, kill wanted suspect in Northwest Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno police say a wanted suspect was shot and killed in an exchange of gunfire that sent one officer to the hospital.

The shooting happened in Northwest Fresno on Herndon Avenue between Ingram and Palm Avenues at about 5 p.m. Saturday.

Fresno Police Deputy Chief Mindy Castro says the suspect is a known felon with at least 20 arrests and six active warrants, two which are for felonies.

One of the officers involved in the shooting has four years of experience and the other has almost six years plus previous employment with another law enforcement agency.

Police first tried to pull the suspect over near Shaw Avenue and Highway 41, but he refused and sped off.

Deputy Chief Castro says they backed off and the suspect was followed for about twenty minutes by a law enforcement helicopter. When the suspect began driving recklessly and running red lights, that's when officers on the ground approached again.

They rammed the suspect's car, causing him to stop at Herndon Avenue near Ingram.

Deputy Chief Casto said the suspect then got out of the car and at some point fired at officers, who shot back.

It's unknown how many shots were fired in total, but it's believed one officer was struck in his ballistic vest and the suspect was shot and killed.

The officer is expected to be okay, but did go to the hospital for observation.

Officers anticipate being at the scene until Sunday morning.

"We have a lot more work to do to figure out what happened here," Casto said.

Herndon Avenue at Ingram and Palm avenues is closed for the investigation. Officers are collecting evidence and looking for any surveillance video or other cell phone video from the incident.

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has additional information to contact Fresno PD at 559-621-7000. To give information anonymously, call Valley Crimestoppers at 498-STOP (7867).