Fresno Police arrest dozens of gang members. It's in responce to gang threats following an officer involved shooting of a gang member. We learned more about the gun that started it all.
The large-scale gang sweep targeting the southwest area wrapped up around 3AM Thursday.
Chief Jerry Dyer says he has a clear message he wants to send out.
"We will not be intimidated by these gang members, nor will we be deterred from the job we're entrusted to do," said Chief Dyer with the Fresno Police Department.
Rampant gang violence in Southwest Fresno and threats against police officers prompt a major crackdown. Eighty Fresno Police officers take 26 gang members off the streets in 24 hours. This time it's personal.
"Certain individual officers have been named specifically in terms of having their life threatened," said Chief Dyer.
The department continues to sift through threats made since Sunday. That's when an officer opened fire, leaving gang member and accused killer, Jarel Stanfield in critical condition. Fresno Police mean business.
"We take those threats extremely serious, because our officers go out each and every day and put their life on the line," said Chief Dyer.
Ballistics tests on a gun Stanfield was allegedly carrying came back dirty.
"This handgun has been used to shoot five people in three difference incidences to include a recent murder," said Chief Dyer.
Chief Dyer said Stanfield's gang was involved in half of West Fresno's 20 shootings so far this year.
"There are far too many firearms out in our community today. We are seizing six or seven firearms every night," said Chief Dyer.
Former Fresno cop, Bob Mitchell is active in West Fresno. He's seen the violence first hand.
"Bullets go where they go, and sometimes the innocents are the ones who are most injured as a result of this," said Bob Mitchell.
Chief Dyer says his force won't let down it's guard.
"We have to provide that presence in order to keep residents safe and we will continue to do that," said Chief Dyer.
Chief Dyer believes the gun found at the scene Sunday could have been used in even more shootings. The department is working to identity the members issuing the threats and will pursue felony charges.