Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Two Guns Found in or Near Dead Suspect's Vehicle: Balderrama
Bill McEwen updated website photo 2024
By Bill McEwen, News Director
Published 2 years ago on
March 7, 2023

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Responding to the announcement that the state DOJ was investigating Saturday’s killing of a suspect by Fresno police, Chief Paco Balderrama said Monday evening that two guns “were found in or near the decedent’s vehicle, and freshly spent casings were found inside his car.”

“I am confident that DOJ’s thorough investigation will reveal all specific actions leading up to the shooting. Additionally, there is body-worn video which is being reviewed by DOJ, and cannot be released at this time.” — Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama

Balderrama’s comments came in a statement to GV Wire.

Man Killed Is Identified

On Tuesday, the department said that officers killed 29-year-old Roberto Corchado.

“I am confident that DOJ’s thorough investigation will reveal all specific actions leading up to the shooting,” Balderrama said. “Additionally, there is body-worn video which is being reviewed by DOJ, and cannot be released at this time.”

In announcing the investigation Monday morning, the office of state Attorney General Rob Bonta said, “Although there was reportedly an exchange of gunfire, preliminary investigation indicates that the decedent was not in possession of a deadly weapon at the time of the fatal shooting.”

The DOJ probe will coincide with administrative and criminal investigations conducted by Fresno PD and the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office, Balderrama said.

Fresno police found these firearms and ammunition in or near the vehicle of the suspect killed by officers on Saturday, March 4, 2023, in northwest Fresno. (Fresno PD)

Photos of Vest, Guns, Bullets, Magazines, Bullet Hole

Fresno police also released photographs from the shooting showing an indentation in an officer’s bulletproof vest, gunshots in a patrol cruiser, two guns, bullets, and magazines.

“In just over one month’s time, we’ve had two Central Valley police officers shot by gang members who, according to California law, should not have been in possession of a firearm. Police officers willingly place their lives in danger to protect our community every day and will continue to do so. While I am always saddened by the loss of life, I am very thankful the city of Fresno did not lose an officer in the line of duty while protecting our community,” Balderrama said.

Balderrama also provided an account of the shootout with the suspect, who, according to police, had an extensive criminal history and six outstanding warrants.

“The information as we know is as follows; the lone suspect in this case fired a gun at officers, a Fresno police officer was shot in the chest but thankfully his bullet-proof vest stopped the bullet from penetrating his body, one of our police vehicles received multiple bullet strikes during the incident. … ”

The chief added, “I do want to ensure our community that the Fresno Police Department has been and will continue to do all we can to keep our community safe, reduce violent crime, and do so in an impartial and professional manner, with transparency and accountability.”

Bullet hole in a Fresno police cruiser following a deadly shootout with a suspect on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Fresno PD)

Suspect Killed in Northwest Fresno

The suspect died following a chase that ended at about 5 p.m. in northwest Fresno at Herndon and Ingram avenues.

The deadly confrontation began when officers tried to pull the suspect over near Shaw Avenue and Highway 41, but he sped away, Fresno deputy police chief Mindy Casto said.

A police helicopter followed the suspect as he cut off vehicles and ran red lights, Casto said.

When patrol officers caught up to him, they rammed his vehicle. The suspect then exited his car and started shooting. Officers returned fire “and the suspect went down,” Casto said.

(GV Wire/Paul Marshall)

 

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

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

UP NEXT

California Allocates $56 Million to Combat Youth Homelessness

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

Fresno Police Arrest Suspect in Southwest Shooting Through Valley Crime Stoppers’ Tip

9 hours ago

18 Injured in Knife Attack in Hamburg, Report Says

10 hours ago

Fresno County Man Killed in Head-On Collision Identified

A 20-year-old Raisin City man was killed early Thursday morning in a head-on collision north of Huntsman Avenue, according to the California...

8 hours ago

fresno
8 hours ago

Fresno County Man Killed in Head-On Collision Identified

8 hours ago

California Allocates $56 Million to Combat Youth Homelessness

9 hours ago

Let the Hunt for Fresno County Fruit Trail Delights Begin!

A Valley Crimes Stoppers tip and surveillance footage led Fresno police to arrest Andy Ramos on Thursday, May 22, 2025, who confessed to a May 11 shooting that left a man hospitalized in stable condition. (Fresno PD)
9 hours ago

Fresno Police Arrest Suspect in Southwest Shooting Through Valley Crime Stoppers’ Tip

Police officers and forensic experts work at Hamburg's main train station, after several people were injured in a knife attack, in Hamburg, Germany, May 23, 2025. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer
10 hours ago

18 Injured in Knife Attack in Hamburg, Report Says

A view of the White House in Washington, U.S., July 20, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Mohatt/File Photo
10 hours ago

White House National Security Council Hit by More Firings, Sources Say

Emergency personnel work at the crash scene on a street, after a small civilian aircraft went down in a military neighborhood in San Diego, California, U.S. May 22, 2025. REUTERS/Mike Blake
10 hours ago

All Six People Aboard Plane That Crashed in San Diego Confirmed Dead

11 hours ago

Explore the Wild Side of Route 66 With These Natural Wonders

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

Search

Send this to a friend