This archive report was first published on 18 November 2019.
On November 17, 2019, a senseless act of violence shook a central California neighborhood when four people were shot dead and six others wounded while watching a football game in the backyard of a home in Fresno.
The incident occurred around 200 miles north of Los Angeles, where police were called to the scene after at least one person opened fire into a crowd of about 35 people gathered outside the house.
"Three people died on scene," Fresno deputy police chief Michael Reed told reporters, adding that a fourth was rushed to hospital in a critical condition and succumbed to his injuries there.
According to Reed, all four of the dead and the six treated for "non life-threatening" gunshot wounds were men aged between 25 and 35.
"Our heart goes out to the families of the victims... this is senseless violence," Reed said, adding that the police were doing everything they could to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Reed stated that it was unclear how many perpetrators had been involved in the shooting and that there was "no indication" the incident was gang-related.
Police spokesman Bill Dooley said officers were looking for surveillance footage and witnesses to track the suspects.
