A 39-year-old Fresno man was arrested after a 23-month-old child and an adult man were shot during an argument at a birthday party Saturday night, Fresno police said.

Officers responded at about 10:14 p.m. to the area of Washington Avenue east of First Street after a two-round ShotSpotter activation. While officers were on their way, they received reports that two shooting victims were at a home on Washington Avenue.

Both victims had been taken by family members in private vehicles to a local hospital before officers arrived, police said.

Officers contacted the victims and their relatives at the hospital and determined that a 23-month-old child and his relative, a man in his 30s, had been at the home when they were shot.

Toddler Shot in the Leg

The child was struck once in the lower leg and suffered a non-life-threatening injury.

The adult was struck once in the lower body and remained in critical but stable condition, police said.

Both remained hospitalized, police said.

Officers at the shooting scene also found another adult man suffering from blunt-force injuries to his face and head.

Detectives determined that the injured man was the suspected shooter, police said.

Fresno Birthday Party Turned Violent

Investigators said the suspect and the adult shooting victim had been attending a birthday party when they became involved in a verbal argument. During the confrontation, the suspect allegedly pulled out a handgun and fired multiple shots at the adult victim.

The child was struck by gunfire during the shooting. Several other people attending the party were not injured by the gunfire, police said.

The suspected shooter suffered his injuries after the shooting when people at the party attempted to take the firearm away from him, according to police. Officers recovered a handgun at the scene.

Police identified the suspect as Paul Benefield, 39, of Fresno. Benefield remained in custody Sunday while being treated at a hospital for his injuries.

Police said Benefield will be booked into the Fresno County Jail after he is released from the hospital on two counts of assault with a deadly weapon involving a firearm and additional firearm-related charges.

Got a Tip?

The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information can contact the Fresno Police Department at 559-621-7000 or provide an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 559-498-STOP (7867).

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