FRESNO (KMJ) — The death of a teenager, following a drive-by in Southwest Fresno, could be a rallying cry for the community to fight back.
Days away from graduation, Kayla Foster’s life ended abruptly just after 2am Monday. In the following hours her family was contacted by Fresno’s Police Chief and Fresno City Councilman Oliver Baines.
“Gang violence is not synonymous with Southwest Fresno,” states Baines. “So I think sadly the rest of Fresno gives it an unfair label. There are great families and a great community in Southwest Fresno and I think they’re sadly overlooked when a tragedy happens.
“With that being said, I think every time we have needless violence, it is a rallying cry.”
Fresno PD reveals that a car pulled up in front of the home while the victim was outside, and those inside the vehicle opened fire on the group.
“I suspect there will be some efforts that come out of this specifically to combat gang violence and its root causes…typically when you have an effort like this what happens is there is always retaliation,” reveals Councilmember Baines.
“So I have no doubt that there will be some enhanced enforcement efforts to make sure that any retaliatory efforts are thwarted. I think that the family is of course going to be calling of course for peace.”
But Baines warns that anger may also come in response to the shooting.
“But I have no doubt that we will come out on top.”
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
