Terra Bella apartment fire now a homicide investigation
Isaac Kates, 30, was found dead in his burning apartment located at Avenue 95 and Road 238 in Terra Bella.
TERRA BELLA, Calif. (KFSN) -- A SWAT team raided two homes in Tulare County connected to an overnight murder. Isaac Kates, 30, was found dead in his burning apartment located at Avenue 95 and Road 238 in Terra Bella.
The apartment is hardly recognizable. A late night fire burned the walls inside the unit, after neighbors said they heard gunshots echo through the town.
Tulare County Sheriff's deputies won't say how Kates died. But they said they're treating this as a homicide.
Megan Rapozo with the Tulare County Sheriff's Office said, "How the fire started which is something Tulare County Fire will be looking into and really trying to figure out how he died."
The property owner tolled Action News Kates lived alone and worked at a local saw mill but knew few details about the tenant. Neighbors said the victim had just recently moved into the area, and was hardly ever seen.
Jose Ibarra said, "Mostly in the night you know I see movement but during the daytime you never see him."
The Tulare County Sheriff's Office said they have no suspects and very little information. They are asking for help from witnesses.
