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Gunfire Hits Kids’ Bedroom, Sparks Police Standoff Near Fresno High

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A family found a bullet hole in the wall of their kids' bedroom near Fresno High School early Sunday. (GV Wire File)
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A man suspected of firing gunshots that pierced a neighbor’s bedroom wall was shot and wounded during a standoff with police in Fresno early Sunday, authorities said.

Officers went to a tri-plex in the 500 block of East Weldon Avenue just after 2 a.m. after a resident called 911, saying he and his wife heard gunfire and found a bullet hole in the wall of the bedroom where his children, ages 2 and 4, were asleep, Fresno Police Lt. Bill Dooley said.

The officers determined the shooter was a 48-year-old man living in the three-unit building, he said. They evacuated the family and tried to talk to him, Dooley said, but when he came out of his apartment he was “extremely belligerent” and went back inside, refusing to cooperate.

On Monday, police identified the man as Michael Zavala.

Watch: Fresno PD Briefing on East Weldon Shooting

SWAT Called to Scene

As officers tried to negotiate Zavala over the next two hours, they heard a shot being fired from inside the man’s apartment, Dooley said. The officers returned fire and a SWAT team was called to the scene.

Zavala surrendered about 40 minutes later, walking out of the apartment with his hands up and a bullet wound to the back or side of his head, Dooley said. He was taken to Community Regional Medical Center, where he was treated and then booked into Fresno County Jail.

Zavala faces four counts of attempted murder for shooting into the occupied apartment, four counts of attempted murder for shooting at officers, and multiple weapons offenses.

(GV Wire contributed to this article.)

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