FRESNO (KMJ) — A $15,000 donation is on its way to Catholic Charities of Fresno, in response to their role in Tuesday’s Downtown Fresno triple-shooting. The money is from the Central Valley Community Foundation.
The announcement was made outside their facility on Fulton Street Thursday morning, just yards from the parking lot where one of the three victims was shot and later died.
“Two of the four victims in this week’s tragic incidents, were clients of Catholic Charities,” explains the foundation’s President and CEO Ashley Swearengin. “On Tuesday, they both were here. David Jackson was here to cash a check. Mark Gassett was here to pick up groceries.”
It’s designed to help support the group, who are themselves supporting the families of the victims.
“We’re issuing this grant, from the Central Valley Community Foundation along with a call to action from our friends, our colleagues, our neighbors, and our fellow Fresnans. We want to see these dollars matched. We want to see others respond to this challenge to donate, to volunteer, to support Catholic Charities.”
The Executive Director of Catholic Charities Kelly Lilles says staff were not deterred from serving the community in the days following the shooting spree.
“We do hope that people are able to continue to support our programs and services, and we ask that you continue to pray for the victim’s families. Our hearts go out to them, it’s just been a very difficult few days.”
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
