There have recently been eight shootings in the city of Fresno, one of which nearly killed a child. Those assaults are what prompted officers to launch a sweep. They cracked down on the people responsible for the most violence, gang members.
“We know that when we put gangsters in jail. When we take away their guns, we take away their dope and we interrupt their criminal networks that it effects violent crime throughout the city,” said Lt. Burke Farrah of the Fresno Police Dept.
From last Wednesday through Sunday, officers arrested 153 felons, 93 of whom had gang ties. Cops also recovered 19 guns. As a result, shootings in the city went down by 50%.
“All of the tactical teams are pulling together and it's working. Violent crime is down 4.7% so far in 2013 versus the same time last year,” said Lt. Farrah.
A little less than two weeks ago, dozens of bullets were fired at a home in east central Fresno during a drive by shooting. 8-year old Ahlia Cha was struck two times. She continues to recover in the hospital.
“She just has problems digesting,” said Chris Cha, the brother of Ahlia Cha.
Ahlia's brother Chris says he was sleeping in the living room with her the morning she was hit.
“All I heard were gunshots going through windows. My sister just screamed the scariest scream I ever heard in my life. I just saw a bullet hole and she was bleeding so I covered it and pushed her to the ground to cover her,” said Cha.
Police believe members of a Southeast Asian gang are responsible, but have not made any arrests.
Chris desperately wants justice and has this message for officers.
“All I just want to say is I hope you guys find those people. I want to see what they look like,” said Cha.