Suspect arrested in shooting that killed 2 people and injured a 13-year-old in Northwest Fresno

Saturday, August 4, 2018
Suspect arrested in shooting that killed 2 people and injured a 13-year-old in Northwest Fresno
Fresno Police have arrested a suspect involved in a shooting that left two dead and one injured in Northwest Fresno.

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The West Shaw Apartment Complex is no stranger to police lights and memorials.[br /][br /]This time, neighbors are grieving the loss of Ben Romero, 18 and Jesse Villanueva, 29.[br /][br /][b]RELATED: [url HREF="https://abc30.com/3851585/" TARGET="" REL=""]Three shot, two dead in Northwest Fresno shooting[/url][/b][br /][br /]"I just can't believe this happened to such young men that were just so loving and caring, good people," said neighbor Alicia Ruiz.[br /][br /]Romero and Villanueva were next door neighbors.[br /][Ads /][br /]They were hanging outside Monday with Romero's 13-year-old nephew when a man walked up, police say it was 18-year-old Christopher Sanders, who came to settle some problems he had with Romero.[br /][br /]Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer said that it appeared they had resolved those problems, "Everybody was shaking hands, and then for whatever reason, Sanders pulled out a gun and began to fire."[br /][br /][b]RELATED: [url HREF="https://abc30.com/3871242/" TARGET="" REL=""]Mother of teen shooting victim urges killers to surrender[/url][/b][br /][br /]As officers closed in on Sanders on Thursday the teenager tried escaping from an upstairs window.[br /][br /]Detectives say he showed little remorse and still had the gun they believe he used in the shooting.[br /][Ads /][br /]I wouldn't say closure, because there will never be closure]," said Ruiz. "These were lives this person took. We can't give the families back their loved ones."[br /][br /]The apartment complex is trying to give families a stronger sense of security.[br /][br /]A new management company that recently took over is installing more surveillance cameras this month and for the next 90 days, there will be two police officers staffed at the complex full time.[br /][br /]"It is unfortunate that all this had to have happened before they could actually get someone to start patrolling out here," said family friend Leticia Bueno. "This should have been taken care of a long time ago."[br /][br /]The changes can't bring back Villanueva and Romero, but perhaps now they can save someone else.[br /][Ads /][br /]Sanders is being charged with two counts of murder and attempted murder, along with other crimes.[br /][br /]Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to call Fresno Police.