Fresno County Sheriff’s homicide detectives are urging citizens to report any information they have regarding the recent murder of 21-year-old Brian Cervantes.
Detectives have learned through the course of their investigation that this shooting was not a random act and was likely drug-related. They continue to try and determine if there are any gang ties to this case.
On September 21st at around 11:00 pm, a shooting occurred at a home located on the 500 Block of Stamoules Street in the city of Mendota.
Mendota Police officers first arrived on scene and discovered two men with multiple gunshot wounds. Witnesses told FSO detectives the two victims were in the garage of the home with the large garage door open. Two men approached the house and fired several bullets into the garage, striking both victims. The suspects then ran away.
Cervantes died at the scene. The other victim, a 32-year-old, was transported to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno, where his condition was stabilized. He has since been released from the hospital. The relationship of the two victims is that they are friends. The injured man lives at the home where the shooting occurred. Cervantes, who is from Firebaugh and just recently moved to Mendota, was visiting the house.
As part of this ongoing investigation, detectives served a search warrant at the house. No arrests have been made.
Mendota Police requested that the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office take over this case due to its access to resources and expertise in homicide investigations.
Detectives are asking anyone with information on this case to please contact Detective Hector Palma at (559) 600-8204, the Sheriff’s Office at (559) 600-3111 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP (7867).
