3 Officer Involved Shootings in 1 week

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno police officers have been involved in three shootings in the past week. Two of the suspects were critically wounded and remain hospitalized, the third was killed Monday night.

The latest police shooting occurred in the Tarpey Village area. Police say 45-year-old Casimero Carlos Cassillas led officers on a high speed chase, ran into the backyard of a home then threatened an officer with a pipe. Police say the officer shot Cassillas, fearing for his safety.

Cassillas' sister, Josie Lewis says her brother was the father of nine children, and was not a violent person. "He's never been known for that. I mean, he's always been a cool guy, he's sweet."

The family claims the pipe was a short piece of gray PVC, or plastic pipe. But the Fresno County Sheriff's Department, which is investigating the case says it was a metal pipe. Cassillas niece, Jessica Grijalva wonders why he had to be shot. "There's other things they could have did, they could have pulled out a taser they could have pulled out anything else."

But Chief Jerry Dyer says this shooting, and the two others. All have some things in common. "Certainly in each of the incidents the suspect was armed with a gun, or what was perceived to be a gun, they were aggressive towards the officer, they were also involved in some sort of a violent crime and there was either a mental health issue or a methamphetamine issue or both."

On Saturday a 17-year-old armed with a revolver was shot and wounded in Northwest Fresno, after carjacking a vehicle. A family member said the teen is in the hospital and paralyzed.

Last Thursday Freddy Centeno was shot after police say he pulled a black spray nozzle that looked like a gun on officers. He remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Chief Dyer says the shootings are all being investigated. "The officer involved shootings are being investigated by the police department, homicide, with oversight by the District Attorneys Office. And one of those shootings is being investigated by the Fresno County Sheriff's department, again, with oversight from the District Attorney'S Office."