Visalia police are investigating their second homicide of the year

VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- Police in Visalia are trying to figure out who is responsible for their second homicide of the year.

A man was shot and killed on Giddings Street, south of Riggin Avenue, at around 12:30 Thursday morning. The gunshots were so loud, John Negrete thought they were coming from right next door. "I think there were five shots first and then sound(ed) like five shots were shooting back," Negrete said. "You know, they shot at each other."

He came outside to see the shooting happened a little farther down Giddings Street. Police were everywhere and Negrete says they came fast. "I just looked over there and I says, God, something must've happened bad," Negrete said.

But he didn't know the shooting left one man dead on the driveway of a house. Hours later, detectives were still on scene, investigating the city's second homicide this year.

Police don't know what lead up to the shooting, and say it's too early to tell if it's gang-related. "But our detectives are currently out canvassing neighborhoods trying to talk to folks and develop some evidence and witnesses hopefully," Visalia Police Sgt. Damon Maurice.

Negrete has lived in this neighborhood since 1966 and says it used to be nice. But now, he hears gunshots on a regular basis-- though they don't scare him. Negrete says even if you leave, you'll likely find trouble-- anywhere else. "Why stay? Why should I run off? I own the place," Negrete said.