FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — A man celebrating his birthday was grazed by gunfire in central Fresno, and police say the suspect later rammed an undercover vehicle while trying to get away before being arrested.
Central Policing District officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert on Sunday of 11 rounds at about 6:51 p.m. in the area of Olive Avenue and Lucerne Avenue.
While officers were investigating, they received a report of a gunshot victim near Second Street and Orleans Avenue.
Police said the victim told officers he had been near Olive and Lucerne when he sustained a graze gunshot wound to his left ankle. He was taken to CRMC, where he was listed in stable condition.
Felony Assault Unit detectives determined the victim had been celebrating his birthday in the area with several other people.
As the victim and the group were leaving, police said a black Chevy pulled away from the curb, and its lone occupant confronted the victim and fired several rounds, grazing the victim’s left ankle.
Investigators said that as the victim ran, one of the people with him fired toward the suspect in self-defense of the victim.
Police said the victim then drove to Second Street and Orleans Avenue to call police.
With the help of Automated License Plate Readers, detectives identified 43-year-old Troy Franklin as the suspect and obtained a Ramey warrant for his arrest, police said.
The Fresno Police Department Street Violence Bureau Tactical Team received information on Thursday that Franklin was in the area of First Avenue and Nees Avenue.
As detectives moved in to arrest him, police said Franklin intentionally rammed one of the undercover detective vehicles and fled.
He drove to the area of Barstow Avenue and Millbrook Avenue, where he was followed by the Fresno Police Department’s Air1 helicopter.
Police said Franklin collided with a parked vehicle near Barstow and Millbrook, ran from his vehicle and was quickly taken into custody with assistance from Air1, SVB Tactical Team members, Career Criminal Auto Theft Team members, K-9 officers and Northeast Patrol officers.
Franklin is expected to be booked into the Fresno County Jail on charges related to the Aug. 9 shooting and felony assault on a peace officer, police said.