FRESNO (KMJ) — A 17 year old, who was shot after refusing to hand over his belongings at gunpoint, has died.
Fresno County Coroner’s Office confirmed Nicholas Kauls passed away in the hospital Thursday morning.
The teenager was seriously hurt after the incident in Fresno’s Fig Garden on Sunday. Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said he and a group of others ran away when they were approached by a group in a white mid-size SUV at Rialto and Sunset Avenues. Shots were fired and Kauls was hit.
Detectives are working with Fresno Police after reports of other attempted robberies and shootings at the same time. It is unknown if the victims were targeted or chosen at random.
The shooting has sparked an outpouring of generosity from the community. A GoFundMe page set up to support Nicholas Kauls and his family has raised more than $50,000 (click here).
On an update to page posted Thursday afternoon, organizer Suzanne Crosina-Sahm wrote that she has seen generosity and love since the tragedy.
“We want to let you know that your contributions and any future donations will be used to pay for Nick’s burial services, medical bills and other expenses. What is left will be used to establish a scholarship at San Joaquin Memorial High School in Nick’s name.”
Valley Crime Stoppers revealed that the reward for information leading to an arrest has risen to $3,000.
“We’re getting a lot of calls and we want to thank the community for stepping up,” revealed the non-profit’s Susan Blaze.
“I really have a feeling this reward is going to get pretty high.”
Tips can be called in anonymously on 559-498-STOP.
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
