Fresno sees 300% homicides increase in comparison with 2023
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – The City of Fresno has seen a 300% increase in homicides, according to the Fresno Police Department.
On Wednesday, officers say they identified the victim and suspect in a shooting that took place in the area of Fairmont and Holt Avenues Tuesday evening.
Fresno alleyway fight leads to shooting, 1 in critical
Officers identified the victim as 37-year-old Xavier Gladney. They also identified the suspect as 33-year-old Darren Williams, who is still on the run.
Officers say they believe an inter-gang fighting is what caused this shooting.
Lt. Paul Cervantes with the Fresno Police Department says Williams has a long and violent criminal history.
“In 2013 Williams was in fact arrested for a murder, as that particular case navigated its way through the court system. He pleaded no contest to assault with a deadly weapon that resulted in a three-year prison stint,” said Cervantes.
Williams was arrested again in 2017 under suspicion of being a felon in possession of a gun.
This is the 12th homicide in Fresno in 2024, a drastic increase from this same time in 2023 of four.
Tuesday’s deadly shooting off of Fairmont and Holt is the second in two weeks.
On April 17, investigators say David Holliman was shot by two individuals while he was sitting in his car with his girlfriend and their two young children.
Police ask for help in Fresno shooting that left father of 2 dead
Holliman was the only one hit and died from his injuries last Saturday.
Lt. Cervantes says they believe both shootings are gang-related but have no direct connection to each other.
“We are one 100% confident we will be making an arrest in the case of David Holliman,” Cervantes continued.
Anyone with information regarding any of these cases is encouraged to contact the Fresno Police Department.
