WebOne year after three young men were gunned down in a parking lot at Golden West High School in Visalia, police are still searching for the suspects involved. VISALIA Just a few weeks after Those individuals with information are asked to contact the Visalia Police Departments Violent Crimes Unit at (559) 713-4234. Anyone with information on the shooting or the two vehicles is asked to call the Visalia Police Department. Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. Mark Aceves,20;Cesar Lopez, 19;and Abraham Molina, 20, were arrested and charged inthe May 2020 triple homicide. Officers arrived and found three victims suffering from gunshot wounds. The investigation into a triple homicide in Visalia in May has led to the seizure of drugs, guns, money, and more. 3 dead after shooting in parking lot at Golden West High School in Visalia. On Dec. 20, Gov. The team also seized approximately20pounds of cocaine from suspects involved in the trafficking. VISALIA Authorities investigating the fatal shootings of three teenagers said Thursday they have arrested three men suspected in the killings and two dozen other gang members connected to a drug and weapons trafficking operation. I am grateful that this investigation has led to the arrests of suspects involved in the May 2020 triple homicide of Jose Hernandez-Pea, Isaiah Rule, and Blake Medeiros and that this will begin to bring healing and justice to their families. Visalia Police Chief Jason Salazar said. In December of 2021, the Governor approved the reward. He was surrounded by local, stateand federal law enforcement. DAcalls on lawmakers to bring justice to Operation Trailblazer suspects, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy, US Attorneys Office Eastern District of California, California Department of Justice Bureau of Investigations & Firearms, California Highway Patrol Special Operations Unit. Violent Crimes Detectives with the Visalia Police Department have worked the case tirelessly since that night. Rule, along with 19-year-old Blake Mederios and 19-year-old Jose Pena, was gunned down in the parking lot of Golden West High School back in May. The governors reward of $50,000 is still available to material witnesses who can provide investigators and prosecutors with direct knowledge of the triple homicide. Police believe the victims came to the parking lot in the same car, but it's unclear what led up to the gunfire. 2023 www.visaliatimesdelta.com. In July of 2021, the California Department of Justice and the California Highway Patrol Special Operations Unit were asked to join the investigation and assist investigators from the Visalia Police Department, Tulare County Sheriffs Office, and the Tulare County District Attorneys Office in what would become Operation Trailblazer. His mother set up the memorial outside her home in Visalia in hopes that those driving by won't forget that she and two other families are still searching for answers. WebVisalia Police and multiple law enforcement agencies arrested three gang members in a May 2020 triple homicide at local high school, others on drug, weapons charges Molina is believed to have shot and killed the victims, and was charged with the special allegation that he intentionally discharged a firearm, which caused death. All three suspects are known gang members in the Cities of Visalia and Ivanhoe. "I don't know any mother who can accept this.". Law enforcement agents also seized24 firearmsduring todays operation. Today at 4:31 PM. Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. In May 2020, investigators say they responded to reports of shots being fired in the high school parking lot. Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. WebRELATED: 3 men arrested in connection to 2020 triple homicide in Visalia They were shot to death in May of 2020 in the parking lot at Golden West High School. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Visalia Police Chief Jason Salazar, Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward, and Eastern District Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Sanchez were on-hand to announce the arrests of Mark Aceves, 20, Cesar Lopez, 19, and Abraham Molina, 20 on charges related to the deaths of three teens in Visalia in 2020. If you have any questions please contact: Bilingual Services Program at (916) 210-7580. WebArrests in Visalia triple homicide lead to criminal enterprise bust AboutPressCopyrightContact usCreatorsAdvertiseDevelopersTermsPrivacyPolicy & On May 5th, 2020, at 11:15 p.m. officers were dispatched to the parking lot of Golden West High School in response to a report of shots fired. This investigation utilized law enforcement departments from the local, state and federal level and resulted in dozens of arrests, and the seizure of weapons and illegal drugs. Over the course of the investigation, the Visalia Police Department was assisted by the Tulare County Sheriffs Office, Tulare County District Attorneys Office, US Attorneys Office Eastern District of California, Federal Bureau of Investigation, California Department of Justice Bureau of Investigations & Firearms, and the California Highway Patrol Special Operations Unit. Postal Service. Girls high school basketball team forfeits a game because it refused to play against a team with a transgender player, Fox Leaders Wanted to Break From Trump but Struggled to Make It Happen, Not Going to Read That: White House Press Secretary Brushes Off DeSantis Op-Ed, Sunshine returns to SoCal on Thursday but cold temps stick around, A $5 Billion Market Awaits this A.I. Additional arrests are expected to be made by law enforcement agencies in Oregon and Texas in connection with this investigation. Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov, State of California Department of Justice, Consumer Protection and Economic Opportunity, California Justice Information Services (CJIS), Attorney General Bonta Announces Arrest of Gang Members Invo. Those with information are asked to contact the Visalia Police Department at (559) 713-4234. Detectives continued to work leads and analyze data collected during the investigation. DOJ partnered with local law enforcement in Texas, the U.S. WebDuring the evening of May 5, 2020, three teenagers were shot and killed in a vehicle in the parking lot of Golden West High School in Visalia. Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. The teenagers were found dead from gunshot wounds inside of a vehicle near the high school. On January 13th, 2021, the SOU, the Visalia Police Department, the Tulare County Sheriffs Department, the Tulare County District Attorney, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) executed 27 search warrants and 22 arrest warrants in Tulare County in connection with the investigation. The United States Attorneys Office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to take on these criminal organizations.. "In this particular case, it took hard-working detectives from the Visalia Police Department who never gave up it took all of us working together to shepherd in this monumental operations resolution.. Anyone with information is urged tocall the Visalia Police Departments Violent Crimes Unit at 713-4234. My family is going to keep fighting. Green was 31 years old and an 11-year veteran of the Exeter Police Department. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. "Whatever happens in the dark comes to light," Williams said. Aceves and Lopez will be arraigned on January 25. The teenagers In September of 2020, the Visalia Police Department partnered with Central Valley Crime Stoppers along with friends and family of the victims to offer a $9,000 award for any information leading to an arrest. All Rights Reserved. All Rights Reserved. When officers arrived, they found Jose Pena, Black Medeiros and Isaiah Rule shot to death. WebPrevious coverage: 3 arrests made in Visalia triple homicide Police found Jose Hernandez-Pea, 19; Isaiah Rule, 18; and Blake Medeiros, 19, dead with gunshot After receiving several tips, investigators ask for the public's help to identify the owner or anyone associated with two vehicles. This investigation utilized law enforcement departments from the local, state and federal level and resulted A $9,000 reward is available through Valley Crime Stoppers. Everybody's family is going to keep fighting.". Jose Carlos Hernandez Pena, 19, Isaiah Rule, 18, and Blake Madeiros, 19, were found dead in the With that information, law enforcement agencies were able to seize 18 firearms and 20 pounds of cocaine. The night after the murder, After receiving WebBased on all information revealed during the investigation, detectives have identified suspects Mark Aceves (20), Cesar Lopez (19), and Abraham Molina (20) as being The assistance of these various agencies was imperative in helping the Visalia Police Department to bolster the cases against the identified suspects and their associates. Two of the victims were found in a car. Over the course of the investigation, including todays operation,37arrests were made, at leastfiveviolent crimes were prevented, and a total of56firearms were seized from Sureo gang members and associates. I am also very proud of the hard work and dedication of the Visalia Police Detectives who have worked so diligently on this case and to all of our law enforcement partners on this investigation for their contributions and resources to help bring justice to these families and to our community.. Email: OnYourSide@cbsfresno.com. (Los Angeles Times) Late Tuesday night, police officers in Visalia, a San 20-year Mark Aceves and 19-year old Cesar Lopez will be arraigned on January 25. "They don't have a voice anymore. Detectives learned that local Sureo gang members and associates were importing guns from Texas and were paying for the weapons with methamphetamine and cocaine obtained from drug trafficking organizations in Mexico. Detectives say the weapons and drugs were being shipped using the US Postal Service. During the investigation, law enforcement agents identified Sureo gang members as suspects in the murders. How did, Whats driving the players behind Israels legal, European Union finalizing plans to allow US tourists, Prince Philip is laid to rest as somber queen sits, Countries worldwide hit new records for virus cases,, WHO team: More studies needed of coronavirus origin, Trains collide in southern Egypt, killing at least, Who are the superspreaders behind top COVID-19 conspiracy, Global death toll from COVID-19 tops 2 million, US now says no evidence of kill capture teams at, Georgia Rep. Greene says she plans to file articles, Preliminary 7.4 quake shakes Mexico Tuesday morning, The 4 others arrested in connection with bombing, State of emergency declared in Madera County, power, Efforts to restore power to areas affected by storm, I-5 reopens with CHP escorts Wednesday afternoon, A drug-resistant infection has health experts on, Caltrans: Highway 140 closed in Midpines due to rockslides, MCSO names new agriculture crimes detective, CLOSED: Yosemite Unified shuts all schools for the, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- Visalia police are one step closer to solving the murders of three men who were shot to death outside Golden West High School last year. Surveillance video from the school showed a suspect vehicle driving up to the Anyone with The Office of the Attorney General is unable to guarantee the accuracy of this translation and is therefore not liable for any inaccurate information resulting from the translation application tool. Visalia Police Department Violent Crimes Detectives, Special Enforcement Unit Officers, and Crime Scene Investigators were called out to assist in the investigation. During the evening of May 5, 2020, three teenagers were shot and killed in a vehicle in the parking lot of Golden West High School in Visalia. TRAFFIC ALERT: Several lanes are now blocked going North on Highway 41 due to a multiple-vehicle collision in Fresno. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. "They've exhausted leads and that's why we're asking for the public's assistance," says Visalia Police Sgt. This Google translation feature is provided for informational purposes only. Thank you to all of the officers and agents who worked together to solve these murders and get those involved off our streets., I am grateful that this investigation has led to the arrests of suspects involved in the May 2020 triple homicide of Jose Hernandez-Pena, Isaiah Rule, and Blake Medeiros and that this will begin to bring healing and justice to their families, said Visalia Police Chief Jason Salazar. On May 5th 2020, Isaiah was gunned down in the Golden West High School parking lot along with his two friends, Blake Medeiros and Jose Hernandez. Postal Inspection Service, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California to seize several postal packages containing18firearms. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 1979-2023 Valley Voice, all rights reserved. Throughout 2020 and 2021,detectives forged ahead in theirinvestigation. They're often identified by wearing blue bandanas, clothes and jewelry and the number 13. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Triple Homicide Update Press Release Revision Date: 10/4/2021 (116.3 KB) More Info: 21-080714 Att. In October, detectivesapplied for a $50,000 reward through the State of California Governors Office to help solve the case. At the same time, a photo of possiblevehicle used in the slayingwere released to the public in hopes of identifying the suspects. "I had him when I was 16," she said. All rights reserved. Salazar also gave details surrounding Operation Trailblazer a multi-agency investigation into a drug and weapons trafficking ring. WebVisalia Police Department | 303 S. Johnson St., Visalia, CA 93291 | www.visalia.city ssg January 13, 2022 VISALIA TRIPLE HOMICIDE UPDATE & OPERATION TRAILBLAZER PRESS RELEASE On May 5th, 2020, at 11:15 p.m. officers were dispatched to the parking lot of Golden West High School in response to a report of shots fired. Abraham Molina, 20, entered a not guilty plea on Tuesday. The third was just a short distance away. We need to speak up for these boys.". 2 girls injured after being hit by car in Atwater, police say, 96-year-old WWII vet among Bass Lake residents snowed in, Snow, graupel, hail fall at unusual spots throughout SoCal. Gavin Newsom authorized a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the unsolved homicide case dating back to May 5, 2020. On May 5, 2020, officers were WebPolice say Molina was the one to fire the gun that killed the three teens. In the parking The shooting occurred on May 5, 2020, at Golden West High School in Visalia where Jose Hernandez-Pea, 19, Isaiah Rule, 18, and Blake Medeiros, 19 were killed. On October 1st, 2021, Visalia Police Department Detectives applied for a $50,000 reward through the State of California Governors Office to assist in bringing the suspects responsible for this crime to justice. Some people are upset at the way iPhones charge. The Visalia Police Department was aided by the followingagencies: I am grateful that this investigation has led to the arrests of suspects involved and that this will begin to bring healing and justice to their families. Salazar said. On the anniversary of the young men's deaths, family and friends gathered where their lives were tragically taken, to fill the space with hope and light, and to support one another in the fight for justice. On Thursday, Visalia Police Chief Jason Salazar stood at a podium placed inside a spaciousexhibit hall at the Visalia Convention Center. The firearms were then sold to local gang members or smuggled into Mexico in exchange for morenarcotics. I don't know how to accept that he is gone.". Do you have a problem that you need help solving? During the January 13th search and arrest operation,27Sureos members and associates were arrested, including three who are suspected to be directly involved in the triple homicide. Thank you to all of the officers and agents who worked together to solve these murders and get those involved off our streets.. RELATED: 3 dead after shooting in parking lot at Golden West High School in Visalia. The day that an arrest is made in a murder investigation, marks the beginning of a path to justice for grieving families. While the primary focus of the operation was to bring the suspects responsible for the homicides to justice, the investigation also uncovered an alleged criminal organization operating across state lines and into Mexico. Additionally, detectives identified several other Sureo gang members and associates that were involved in the subsequent effort to destroy evidence following the homicide. The unit provides statewide enforcement for combating violent career criminals, gangs, and organized crime groups, along with intrastate drug traffickers. WebThree men were fatally shot in the parking lot of Golden West High School in Visalia Tuesday night. Visalia was one of four agencies selected by Gov. Visalia Police DepartmentVisalia police are looking for these vehicles thought to be linked to an unsolved triple homicide. Ashley Williams is Blake's mother. "Our deepest sympathies to the families who've been impacted by this terrible crime and who lost their loved ones that night," he said. Detectives learned that local Sureo gang members and associates were importing guns from Texas and were paying for the weapons with methamphetamine and cocaine from drug trafficking organizations in Mexico. Please consult with a translator for accuracy if you are relying on the translation or are using this site for official business. Detectives have contacted and interviewed numerous individuals, evaluated multiple items of evidence, and authored numerous search warrants to ascertain what occurred that night, and identify those responsible. 20-year Mark Copyright - California Statewide Law Enforcement Association, California DOJ Assists Detectives with Homicide, ABC Agents Arrest Two Bartenders Accused of Serving, Seven Arrested for 2020 Homicide of a 15-Year-Old in Visalia, CDFW Wardens Safely Transport Mountain Lion Out of, CSLEA Political & Legislative Consultants. Required fields are marked *. She says not having any answers is the hardest part. While we cannot take away the grief and loss the Visalia community has felt as a result of these horrific and senseless murders, we can bring to account the people who committed these crimes. Previous coverage:DAcalls on lawmakers to bring justice to Operation Trailblazer suspects. Here's why. WebThe shooting occurred on May 5, 2020, at Golden West High School in Visalia where Jose Hernandez-Pea, 19, Isaiah Rule, 18, and Blake Medeiros, 19 were killed. Your email address will not be published. The investigation also uncovered a drug and firearm trafficking ring run by members and associates of the Sureos. Once investigators learned of this criminal enterprise, they notified U.S. They interviewed numerous witnesses, collected evidence, and authored search warrants in an attempt to piece together what happened that May night. Those seizures resulted in 18 firearms and 20 pounds of cocaine being intercepted by law enforcement. 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