2 men shot and killed in Terra Bella

TERRA BELLA, Calif. (KFSN) -- Detectives are investigating Tulare County's first homicide of the year. Two men were shot and killed in Terra Bella Thursday night.

Tulare County sheriff's deputies were called to reports of several people being shot in the 23600 block of Avenue 93. When deputies arrived, one man was already dead.

"Another was treated and listed as critical condition earlier today but has since passed away," said Megan Rapozo with the Tulare County Sheriff's Office.

A third man was also injured but only had bruises. The sheriff's office says there were three other people at the home, but they were all inside and unharmed.

Now, investigators are trying to figure out what led to the deadly gunfire. Rapozo says the sheriff's office hasn't had any recent calls to this area. She said, "This is something that is unusual."

Neighbors say they heard several gunshots Thursday night. One woman says she heard 11 and then heard a car speed away. Detectives hope evidence from the scene will help them piece together what happened.

"Our crime scene truck did go out last night and has come back this morning, and they'll be processing evidence in the lab and things at the scene as time goes on," said Rapozo.

The sheriff's office is also talking with witnesses, hoping it might help them make an arrest in the case.

The identity of one of the victims that died has been released. He is Hipolito Medrano Fernandez, 50, of Terra Bella.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the Tulare County Sheriff's Office.