16-year-old boy arrested for deadly drive-by shooting in Hanford

HANFORD, Calif. (KFSN) -- Justice for 23-year-old Cruz David Avalos is one step closer as the suspected 16-year-old shooter is now behind bars.

Hanford Police and the Kings County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest Thursday at a news conference.

"Through continued investigation, [investigators] were able to identify the suspect as a 16-year-old male residing in Hanford," Hanford Police Chief Stephanie Huddleston said.

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Chief Huddleston says the boy was arrested by Sheriff's deputies following a shooting that happened at 1 a.m. Thursday.

"Patrol deputies from the Sheriff's Office responded to the area of Jeff Road and Thomas Court for a gunshot victim on the Santa Rosa Rancheria in Lemoore, which is located in our incorporate area of the county," Kings County Sheriff David Robinson said.

When deputies arrived, they found a 19-year-old shooting victim who was quickly rushed to the hospital. Sheriff Robinson says the victim is awaiting surgery but is expected to be okay.

Investigators say the 16-year-old Hanford suspect, the injured shooting victim and a young girl were inside a car when they were asked about their gang affiliation by an unknown adult man.

"Our suspect in our shooting is described as a male, possibly Hispanic or Native American, approximately 5'8" to 6 feet, 190 to 230 pounds, long black hair armed with a pistol," Sheriff Robinson said.

Shortly after shots rang out, witnesses saw the Hanford suspect and the young girl running from the scene.

Deputies were then able to locate them both running in the parking lot of Tachi Palace Casino Resort.

"Deputies stopped both subjects and was able to quickly identify the 16-year-old male subject as a subject that the Hanford Police Department had identified in their homicide," Sheriff Robinson said. "The male did not initially follow commands and kept walking away from the deputy with his hands concealed in his waistband. He later did comply and placed his hands in the air and was taken into custody."

Investigators say they found a loaded 9-millimeter handgun that was later connected to the one used in the Hanford shooting.

Avalos was shot in Hanford at 1 p.m. Wednesday on 10th Avenue near Lacey Boulevard.

Security camera video captured when Avalos' car rolled to a stop, and the suspect's black Nissan speeding away after the shooting. Avalos was taken to the hospital and died less than an hour later.

The Hanford Police Department says they have not established any connection between Avalos and the 16-year-old boy. The suspect is known to law enforcement and detectives currently have possession of the suspect's car.

The Hanford shooting marks the 3rd homicide for the city this year.

Kings County District Attorney Sarah Hacker says it's still unclear when she will be able to file charges and if she can try the Hanford suspect as an adult.

If you know anything about either of these cases you are asked to contact law enforcement.

Stay with ABC30 for the latest details on this developing story.