36-year-old woman shot and killed in west central Fresno identified

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The woman who was shot and killed in west central Fresno over the weekend has been identified as 36-year-old Nicole Saenz of Fresno.

Paramedics rushed to save her life after a man shot her in the head on Saturday at around 6 pm at a home near Hughes and Olive Avenue. Saenz died at the hospital.

"Male suspect approached the house, came up, knocked on the door, he was allowed in," says Fresno Police Lt. Anthony Dewall.

After the shooting, the suspect forced someone in the home to drive him to an area near Highway 99 and Belmont, and drop him off.

According to officers, there were other people inside other rooms at the time who were startled by the sound of several gunshots coming from inside the house.

"They came out and found the victim suffering from a gunshot wound," Dewall said.

The man shot the Saenz at least once in the head.

Officers say the shooter then held someone inside the house at gunpoint and forced them to drop him off near Belmont and 99.

"Where he was dropped off and since fled from that location," Dewall said.

Detectives are now trying to determine what motivated the man to take the woman's life.

Police don't believe he had a close relationship with anyone at the home, but he may have been an acquaintance.