A 38-year-old man was shot and killed in a Fresno neighborhood on Thursday night.
The fatal shooting happened at 10 p.m. on the 1000 block of East Samson Avenue, where officers and emergency medical personnel responded to reports of gunfire.
According to Fresno police Lt. Mike Pierce, officers and EMS found an unresponsive man in the street.
First aid was given, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene, he said. He was identified Friday in an update from the police department as Perry Paul Espinosa.
At the scene, Pierce described the situation upon arrival as “very chaotic,” with a large crowd gathered outside near what appeared to be a house party.
Police worked to disperse the crowd and secure the area before beginning the investigation.
Investigators confirmed the victim was shot multiple times.
The exact number of gunshots fired remains unknown.
Perry Paul Espinosa FRESNO POLICE DEPARTMENT
No arrests have been made, and the suspect or suspects remain outstanding.
Authorities believe the shooter fled before officers arrived.
Pierce said officers are working with several witnesses, though some individuals at the scene were reluctant to cooperate.
Homicide detectives have not yet determined a motive and say it is unclear whether the shooting was gang-related.
No suspect description or information about a possible getaway vehicle has been released.
Anyone with information is asked to call the police at 559-621-7000.
This story was originally published March 20, 2026 at 7:01 AM.
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Anthony Galaviz writes about sports for The Fresno Bee. He covers the Las Vegas Raiders, high schools, boxing, MMA and junior colleges. He’s been with The Bee since 1997 and attended Fresno City College before graduating from Fresno State with a major in journalism and a minor in criminology.
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