FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — An unprovoked assault in the Tower District and other recent incidents have drawn attention to safety concerns in the popular nightlife area, though some residents and business owners say the neighborhood remains generally safe.<\/p>\n
Fresno police said a suspect carried out an unprovoked assault on Sunday, May 31, along East Olive Avenue between North Broadway Street and North Linden Avenue.<\/p>\n
Authorities released video of the incident and are asking for the public’s help identifying the person responsible.<\/p>\n
A nearby lounge, Electric Olive, said the night began like any other before the situation escalated.<\/p>\n
“We didn’t know anything happened at all until the cops said to shut it down,” said Andrea Wright, manager of Electric Olive.<\/p>\n
The shutdown abruptly ended the evening for nearly two dozen patrons at the lounge. Wright said business was affected in the days that followed.<\/p>\n
“I would say maybe the next weekend was a little bit slower in Tower in general, but then it picked up as usual,” Wright said.<\/p>\n
The assault followed another incident the previous night, when Fresno police responded to reports of multiple shots fired in the area. Two people were wounded, and the gunfire sent hundreds of people scrambling for safety in the streets.<\/p>\n
Despite these incidents, some community members say concerns about crime in the area are not new.<\/p>\n
“I’ve seen a trend in Tower for many years that isn’t positive,” said resident Aaron Vancuren.<\/p>\n
Still, Vancuren said he has not personally felt threatened.<\/p>\n
“I think in general, Tower’s safe. I’ve lived down here 20 yeas and I’m comfortable with the neighborhood,” he said.<\/p>\n
Wright said violence is not unique to the Tower District and pushed back on perceptions that the neighborhood is inherently unsafe.<\/p>\n
“People have a misconception that there’s always trouble in Tower; that they’re coming to bad side of town,” Wright said. “Bad things happen on the north side of town, south side, east side, west side — wherever you are — it can happen.”<\/p>\n
Fresno police continue to investigate the assault and are urging anyone with information to contact authorities or Valley Crime Stoppers.<\/p>\n
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