FRESNO, Calif. – One week after a shooting in Fresno’s Tower District left two men injured, an innocent bystander caught in the gunfire is sharing his story for the first time as he recovers from his injuries.
Romello Knight, who was struck by bullets in both legs, is awaiting surgery to remove them. The shooting happened while Knight was celebrating birthdays for his sister and best friend in the Tower District.
“I have a baby on the way, so that’s my main focus. When that happened, my baby popped into my head,” Knight said.
Knight, who’s known as “Mello” because of his calm personality, said one of the bullets remains lodged near a bone in his foot.
“The one at the bottom of my foot they’re more worried about because it’s right next to the bone,” Knight said.
According to Knight, he was standing in line when he heard people arguing nearby. He said he attempted to distance himself from the situation after briefly trying to close a gate.
“I tried to close the gate a little bit. As soon as that happened, the guy fell against me a little bit and then he went back to what he was doing. So I just started walking away. As soon as I was about to walk away, the guy pulled out a gun and started shooting,” Knight said.
Knight and another man were wounded in the gunfire. Despite his own injuries, Knight said he tried to help the other victim.
“I took my t-shirt off so I could put my t-shirt on his wounds and finally the cops came,” he said.
The shooting has also created financial challenges for Knight and his family. He and his girlfriend are expecting their first child early next year, and he said the injuries have disrupted plans to begin a new job with Costco next week.
For now, Knight is waiting for a surgery date and working through the recovery process.
“My doctor got me in and out really fast. He gave me the papers for disability so I have to send them in,” Knight said.
In response to a series of violent incidents in the Tower District, new safety measures have been implemented. The changes include passenger loading zones, additional lighting and an increased police presence.
“At the end of the day we want to make sure, god forbid something does happen in the tower district, we have immediate response,” Fresno City Councilmember Annalisa Perea said.
Earlier this week, Fresno police arrested a 16-year-old boy in connection with last weekend’s shooting. The teenager remains in custody at the Juvenile Justice Center, and his next court appearance is scheduled for next month.
A GoFundMe has been created to help Knight recover from his injuries.
Click here if you would like to donate.
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