Officers shoot suspect after stabbing of gas station clerk in Northwest Fresno
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno police are investigating after officers shot a stabbing suspect in Northwest Fresno early Thursday morning.
Officers responded to a stabbing call at 12:30 a.m. at the AM/PM Convenience store at the Arco gas station on the corner of Bullard Avenue and Figarden Drive.
"Our original victim, who is a 40-year-old Indian male, was a store clerk. Now, new information that I can clarify this morning: he was actually attacked inside of the store. The attack was very, very aggressive," said Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama.
"I don't know what led up, whether there were words exchanged or whatever else, but, you know, simply the victim was doing his job, trying to make a living, you know, trying to run the store."
Police say they confronted and eventually shot the suspect at nearby NorthPointe Church - Bullard Campus.
Crime scene tape closed off the church's parking lot as detectives scoured the parking lot.
A woman who didn't want to be identified was shocked to find her church is now part of a crime scene.
"I just don't understand this. I don't get it. Why did this happen? It makes me cry. I'm so sorry. I just don't understand it," the woman said.
Fresno police say the suspect ran off after the stabbing but was spotted at the church by a police helicopter.
Balderrama chief says he reviewed video from the helicopter, where he saw his officers confront the man.
"It's very clear to see the suspect reaching out with one hand trying to pepper spray the officers and the other hand, he's holding his four-inch fixed blade knife in the other hand," explained Balderrama.
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"Went at the officers very aggressively, the officers are giving orders trying to de-escalate trying to retreat, but they just simply did not have this opportunity."
Chief Balderrama says two officers shot at the suspect, hitting him several times.
Both the suspect and the injured clerk were taken to Community Regional Medical Center.
Police say the suspect is a member of the unhoused community who is known to frequent the area.
The suspect also has a criminal history, including domestic violence and stalking, but has not had contact with police in several years.
He is also known to have a history of mental health issues.
The shooting is the fifth this year by a Fresno Police Officer, two of which were deadly.
Both the shooting and stabbing remain under investigation.
The Office of Independent Review and the District Attorney's Office will also investigate the shooting.
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