Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Homicide Victim in Suspected Fresno Gang Ambush Is Identified
Bill McEwen updated website photo 2024
By Bill McEwen, News Director
Published 2 years ago on
December 16, 2022

Share

Fresno police have identified a 26-year-old man killed in what was believed to be a gang ambush at Superior Smoke Shop on Wednesday.

Authorities said Friday that Joseph Riley died in the shooting shortly before noon at the shop in a strip mall at Blackstone and Princeton avenues.

A second shooting victim, 19 years old, is listed in stable condition at Community Regional Medical Center where he’s being treated for a bullet wound to his face.

Through witness statements and video surveillance, detectives determined that before the shooting, three suspects entered the store. After the victims arrived, the suspects open fire. And, they continued shooting as they chased them before fleeing the scene.

Police said Friday that the suspects haven’t been identified.

Detectives Need Tips to Solve Homicide

Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to contact homicide detective A. Nieto at (559) 621-2415 or detective S. Gray at (559) 621-2451.

Tipsters can also relay anonymous information to Valley Crime Stoppers at 498-STOP (7867).

‘Grace of God’ Spared Others in Shooting

After the shooting, police said it was “only by the grace of God nobody else was hurt” at the strip mall.

“We’re talking about a busy shopping commerce area in the middle of the day,” Lt. Paul Cervantes told The Fresno Bee. “Multiple shots were fired in either direction.”

Lt. Bill Dooley said that Riley was the 59th homicide victim this year in Fresno. A year ago, at this time, Fresno had 71 homicides.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Looking for New Ways to Celebrate Mother’s and Father’s Days in Fresno?

DON'T MISS

A Tidal Wave of Change Is Headed for the U.S. Economy

DON'T MISS

‘Do Not Mock Us’: Trump’s AI Pope Photo Draws Backlash from Catholic Leaders

DON'T MISS

Warren Buffett Shocks Shareholders by Announcing His Intention to Retire at the End of the Year

DON'T MISS

Don’t Have a REAL ID Yet? That Could Cause You Travel Headaches After May 7

DON'T MISS

Grand Theft Auto VI Delayed Again, This Time Until May 2026

DON'T MISS

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Wins a Second 3-Year Term

DON'T MISS

Justice Department Will Switch Its Focus on Voting and Prioritize Trump’s Elections Order

DON'T MISS

Newsom Jabs at Trump and Musk, but Will AI Make California More Efficient?

DON'T MISS

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial to Delve Into the Seediest Side of Rap’s ‘Bad Boy’

UP NEXT

A Tidal Wave of Change Is Headed for the U.S. Economy

UP NEXT

‘Do Not Mock Us’: Trump’s AI Pope Photo Draws Backlash from Catholic Leaders

UP NEXT

Warren Buffett Shocks Shareholders by Announcing His Intention to Retire at the End of the Year

UP NEXT

Don’t Have a REAL ID Yet? That Could Cause You Travel Headaches After May 7

UP NEXT

Grand Theft Auto VI Delayed Again, This Time Until May 2026

UP NEXT

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Wins a Second 3-Year Term

UP NEXT

Justice Department Will Switch Its Focus on Voting and Prioritize Trump’s Elections Order

UP NEXT

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial to Delve Into the Seediest Side of Rap’s ‘Bad Boy’

UP NEXT

Robbie Ray’s Gem Leads the Giants Over the Rockies

UP NEXT

Voters to Decide if Home of Elon Musk’s SpaceX Should Become an Official City: Starbase

Bill McEwen,
News Director
Bill McEwen is news director and columnist for GV Wire. He joined GV Wire in August 2017 after 37 years at The Fresno Bee. With The Bee, he served as Opinion Editor, City Hall reporter, Metro columnist, sports columnist and sports editor through the years. His work has been frequently honored by the California Newspapers Publishers Association, including authoring first-place editorials in 2015 and 2016. Bill and his wife, Karen, are proud parents of two adult sons, and they have two grandsons. You can contact Bill at 559-492-4031 or at Send an Email

Warren Buffett Shocks Shareholders by Announcing His Intention to Retire at the End of the Year

1 day ago

Don’t Have a REAL ID Yet? That Could Cause You Travel Headaches After May 7

1 day ago

Grand Theft Auto VI Delayed Again, This Time Until May 2026

1 day ago

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Wins a Second 3-Year Term

1 day ago

Justice Department Will Switch Its Focus on Voting and Prioritize Trump’s Elections Order

1 day ago

Newsom Jabs at Trump and Musk, but Will AI Make California More Efficient?

1 day ago

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial to Delve Into the Seediest Side of Rap’s ‘Bad Boy’

1 day ago

Robbie Ray’s Gem Leads the Giants Over the Rockies

1 day ago

Voters to Decide if Home of Elon Musk’s SpaceX Should Become an Official City: Starbase

1 day ago

World’s Tallest and Smallest Dogs Meet Up for a Playdate

1 day ago

Looking for New Ways to Celebrate Mother’s and Father’s Days in Fresno?

Fresno City and County Historical Society is hosting two celebrations for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. A Mother’s Day Tea Party invites gu...

13 hours ago

13 hours ago

Looking for New Ways to Celebrate Mother’s and Father’s Days in Fresno?

1 day ago

A Tidal Wave of Change Is Headed for the U.S. Economy

1 day ago

‘Do Not Mock Us’: Trump’s AI Pope Photo Draws Backlash from Catholic Leaders

1 day ago

Warren Buffett Shocks Shareholders by Announcing His Intention to Retire at the End of the Year

1 day ago

Don’t Have a REAL ID Yet? That Could Cause You Travel Headaches After May 7

1 day ago

Grand Theft Auto VI Delayed Again, This Time Until May 2026

1 day ago

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Wins a Second 3-Year Term

1 day ago

Justice Department Will Switch Its Focus on Voting and Prioritize Trump’s Elections Order

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend