FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — A Central Fresno shooter is on the run, and a family has been left in mourning.
“I didn’t really get to talk to him, but I really do wish I could, I could give him a big hug, tell him I love him, and you know, tell him everything’s gonna be alright,” said Anthony Rodriguez.
Anthony tells us his younger brother, Joe Rodriguez, who he called Joey, was the man fatally shot Saturday night at Dakota and Hughes.
The scene of the crime is now the scene of a vast memorial.
Loved ones left behind candles and messages for the 19-year-old.
Anthony appeared emotional as he stood in front of reminders showing how much his brother was loved, and how much he’ll be missed.
“Look at this… it’s all for my brother, you know? Got his name everywhere… he was loved,’ he said, gazing upon the memorial.
Fresno Police say a fight broke out that then escalated into gunfire.
Responding officers found the young man with multiple gunshot wounds and tried to provide medical help, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
“It appears that there was a fight in that strip mall, some in front of some of the businesses on the on the southwest corner, that carried over to the alleyway, and at some point in the alleyway, That fight, or where it was, where mister Rodriguez was shot,” said Fresno Police Lieutenant Brian Valles.
The shooting marks Fresno’s fourth in the last two weeks, two of which turned out to be deadly.
“There is an uptick, and we’re being extremely proactive in our responses and finding those individuals that are responsible, identifying them, putting the good cases together, in hopes that we can get a solid prosecution,” Lt. Valles said.
Action News has also learned Joey was just nine days shy of his 20th birthday.
“He was always smiling, too, man. I’m proud of him for that. Smiling through the struggle,” his brother Anthony said.
The family is now left to wait, as investigators work to find Joey’s killer.
“We’re talking to the detectives, trying to see what’s going on, get the people that did this caught, and bring my brother justice,” Anthony said.
Fresno Police have confirmed that the shooting is gang-related.
As of Monday, they have not identified a suspect.
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