Investigators say a group of gang members fired at an off-duty officer who was riding in his personal car. It happened in southeast Fresno around 8:30 Monday evening at the intersection of cedar and butler.
Police say the officer was driving to the nearby southeast district substation to begin his shift when four people in a car pulled up next to him at a traffic light and began staring him down. They reportedly shouted out, “What gang do you belong to?”
The officer ignored them, but then the suspects allegedly pulled out a gun and fired multiple rounds at his car. The officer had his gun on him and returned fire through the back window of his car. He then drove to the substation and alerted his fellow officers who set out looking for the suspects.
Police Chief Jerry Dyer says the community is lucky to not have a dead police officer. Dyer says his training and quick reaction time is what saved his life.
“That officer did an incredible job tonight. When you consider the fact that there were multiple suspects in that vehicle. They were behind him, he was fired upon and made decision to return fire and struck three suspects. I tell you what, he’s a hero,” said Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer.
The veteran officer managed to hit three of the suspects. Two of the men were later dropped off at the hospital and a third man was found with a gunshot wound at a gas station in the city of Fowler. He too was taken to the hospital. All are believed to be bulldog gang members.
Police have detained a fourth person. A woman whom they believe was also in the car. They need a little more information before they can formally charge her.