The homicide victim located in Malaga on April 30th, 2024, has been identified as 43 year old Jonathan Franco of Fresno.

At 4:40 am on Tuesday, someone passing along S. Frank Ave. (between E. Muscat and E. Grand Avenues) noticed a person lying on the ground of an alleyway.  They made a report to Fresno County Sheriff’s dispatchers and deputies responded to check on the person.  Deputies discovered the man, Jonathan Franco, had suffered a gunshot wound to the upper body and was deceased.

Homicide detectives with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene to investigate.  Members of our Crime Scene Unit also responded to assist detectives with gathering evidence and speaking with potential witnesses.

Detectives learned from people living in the area that they heard possible gunshots fired between 10:00 pm and 11:00 pm on Monday.  However, no reports of this activity were made to law enforcement.  Detectives have not identified a suspect. They are investigating this as possibly being gang-related.  It is unknown how the suspect arrived and fled.  Since the suspect could have been on foot, in a vehicle or on a bicycle, the Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with cameras in the area to contact detectives in order to review potentially valuable video.

This marks the sixth homicide investigation the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office has conducted in 2024.

If you have additional information about this case, please contact Detective Aurelio Flores at (559) 600-8208 or Detective Richard Antunez at (559) 600-8221.  You may also contact Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867, www.valleycrimestoppers.org  You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for up to a $3,000 cash reward.  Reference case #24-4892.