2016 is starting off as a very violent year when it comes to crime in Fresno County.
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office is seeing an unusual number of murder cases.
Sheriff Margaret Mims says for all of last year there were nine homicides in Fresno County, but not this year – so far this January there have been six murders in a very different trend.
“Mainly because every homicide that we’ve had has been two at a time and that’s certainly not something we are used it’s very unusual.” – Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims.
Three sets of double homicides is a trend that Sheriff Margaret Mims hopes does “not” continue.
There is no connection between the murder cases, and they are very different in their aspects.
One was in the Northeast, one in Central and one in the Southeast part of Fresno County.
The Sheriff and Crimestoppers announced an increased reward of $5000 dollars for the murders on January 11th of 77 year-old Maria Socorro Lopez and her son, 55 year-old Jesus Castor, who were shot at 2:00a.m. while they were walking to store in Calwa.
“Ah, this particular homicide we that talked about in Calwa – a completely innocent victim, the Reedley shooting appears to be definitely gang-related, and the Auberry shootings – we are not sure yet about motive.” Sheriff Margaret Mims.
Sheriff Mims says all law enforcement in Fresno have been targeting gangs to stop their violent activity.
“Many times we don’t hear about the activity and the violence occurs that’s what gangs do, especially if there’s gang rivalry, especially if there’s payback which is common – one gang will do something, another will do something to retaliate so we try to listen to the chatter to keep it from happening.” -Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims.
Sheriff Margaret Mims says her office is working hard to solve all the cases.
She is hoping that more tips come in.
