Gavin Newsom. 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. Required fields are marked *. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. On Dec. 20, Gov. This investigation was a success because of multiagency collaboration at all levels of law enforcement. Balderama and Williams said they still don't know what happened the night of the shooting. While the triple homicide investigation has culminated in the arrests of the three primary suspects, the Visalia Police Department would like to remind the public that the Governors Reward of $50,000 is still available to material witnesses that can provide investigators and prosecutors with direct knowledge of the triple homicide. Detectives say the weapons and drugs were being shipped using the US Postal Service. WebVISALIA, 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. WebArrests in Visalia triple homicide lead to criminal enterprise bust AboutPressCopyrightContact usCreatorsAdvertiseDevelopersTermsPrivacyPolicy & FOX26. USPS inspectors coordinated with Texas authorities, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorneys Office to seize several postal packages. They found two men dead in a vehicle and another nearby in the parking lot. "As a mother they are a part of you so you don't just physically feel like you're dying, it is mentally, it is spiritually, it is everything," she said. Previous coverage:DAcalls on lawmakers to bring justice to Operation Trailblazer suspects. Thank you to the law enforcement officers who risked their safety to investigate and arrest these dangerous suspects. CSLEA President Alan Barcelona. 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. Thank you to all of the officers and agents who worked together to solve these murders and get those involved off our streets.. 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 Isaiah Rule, along with 19-year-old Blake Mederios and 19-year-old Jose Pena, were gunned down in the "And that they can begin to heal knowing that those who are responsible for this crime are in custody where they belong.". 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.. VISALIA The reward to catch those who gunned down three teens in the Golden West parking lot last year is now $61,000 thanks to the governor. The third was just a short distance away. 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. One of the vehicles is a darker-colored truck, and the other is a light-colored car. Abraham Molina, 20, entered a not guilty plea on Tuesday. California DOJ partnered with local law enforcement in Texas, the U.S. 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. "An investigation that began with the tragic murder of three young people in Visalia led to law enforcement uncovering a drug and firearm conspiracy that reached from California to Texas and Mexico," state Attorney General Rob Bonta said. In July 2021, the Visalia Police Department requested assistance from the California Department of Justices (DOJ) Special Operations Unit (SOU) with its investigation into the triple homicide. 3 dead after shooting in parking lot at Golden West High School in Visalia. The investigation also uncovered a drug and firearm trafficking ring run by members and associates of the Sureos. "Whatever happens in the dark comes to light," Williams said. Police say all three men are gang members or associates. All three of the suspects are Sureo street gang members or associates. (Los Angeles Times) Late Tuesday night, police officers in Visalia, a San The victims were later identified as 19-year-old Jose Hernandez-Pena, 19-year-old Blake Medeiros, and 18-year-old Isaiah Rule. These unique and essential teams use the latest technology and advanced investigative techniques and work alongside local law enforcement to enhance investigations into violent criminals and organized crime throughout the state. A press release from the Visalia Police Department. 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. Coping with his loss is a daily struggle. After four (4) months of collaborative investigation with our law enforcement partners, the Visalia Police Department and assisting agencies prevented at least four (4) violent crimes from occurring and seized a total of thirty-one (31) firearms from Sureo gang members and associates. One year after three men were gunned down in a parking lot at Golden West High School in Visalia, police are still searching for the suspects. Anyone with information is asked to call the Visalia Police Department and you can remain anonymous. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. VISALIA California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced the arrest of multiple members of the Sureocriminalstreet gang for their involvement in the 2020 murders of three teenagers at a local high school in Visalia. Postal Inspection Service, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California to seize several postal packages containing18firearms. To learn more about the Voice, click here. Theyve authored ninety (90) search warrants, conducted sixty (60) interviews, searched over two hundred twenty (220) digital accounts, and followed up on numerous anonymous tips. WebOn May 5, 2020, officers responded to a shooting in the parking lot of Golden West High School in Visalia. 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. My family is going to keep fighting. 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. VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- Authorities have announced the arrests of three men in connection with a triple homicide that occurred in May 2020 in Visalia. 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. RELATED: 3 dead after shooting in parking lot at Golden West High School in Visalia. 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. 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 Sometimes arrests are swift. Once officers arrived, they located a solo vehicle in the parking lot. Those with information are asked to contact the Visalia Police Department at (559) 713-4234. We need to be their voice. According to detectives, the investigation into the shooting led to the discovery of a criminal enterprise operating across state lines and into the country of Mexico. Investigators say they learned that area gang members and associates were bringing guns from Texas and paying for the weapons with drugs including meth and cocaine obtained from Mexican traffickers. Some people are upset at the way iPhones charge. Law enforcement agents also seized24 firearmsduring todays operation. VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- A year later, and the pain Nikkole Rule Balderama of Visalia feels over the loss of her son, 18-year-old Isaiah Rule, still hurts as much as the day she lost him. Rule says they plan to hold another justice walk on Wednesday in front of the Visalia Police Department to keep the boy's memory and investigation alive. Abraham Molina, 20, entered a not guilty plea on Tuesday. With that information, law enforcement agencies were able to seize 18 firearms and 20 pounds of cocaine. "I sit there waiting for him walking through the door," she said. 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. To learn more about the Voice, click here. Jose Carlos Hernandez Pena, 19, Isaiah Rule, 18, and Blake Madeiros, 19, were found dead in the 20-year Mark Aceves and 19-year old Cesar Lopez will be arraigned on January 25. All Rights Reserved. Violent Crimes Detectives with the Visalia Police Department have worked the case tirelessly since that night. "I don't know any mother who can accept this.". Visalia was one of four agencies selected by Gov. TRAFFIC ALERT: Several lanes are now blocked going North on Highway 41 due to a multiple-vehicle collision in Fresno. Today at 3:54 PM. Anyone with information is urged tocall the Visalia Police Departments Violent Crimes Unit at 713-4234. 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.. In May 2020, investigators say they responded to reports of shots being fired in the high school parking lot. The teenagers WebThree men were fatally shot in the parking lot of Golden West High School in Visalia Tuesday night. 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. Operation Trailblazer focused on the enhanced surveillance and investigation of individuals believed to be directly involved with the triple homicide and who were members of the Sureo criminal street gang in the cities of Visalia and Ivanhoe. They interviewed numerous witnesses, collected evidence, and authored search warrants in an attempt to piece together what happened that May night. A woman threw a house party with 65 men she matched with on Tinder and Hinge and connected with the man she's been dating for a year. The teenagers were found dead from gunshot wounds inside of a vehicle near the high school. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. "I'm going to keep fighting. January 19, 2022, 9:38 AM. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. A $9,000 reward is available through Valley Crime Stoppers. All Rights Reserved. They're often identified by wearing blue bandanas, clothes and jewelry and the number 13. DOJs Special Operations Unit is a collaborative investigative effort between DOJ and the California Highway Patrol. Postal Inspection Service, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California to seize several postal packages containing18firearms. If you have any questions please contact: Bilingual Services Program at (916) 210-7580. If we can suffocate their funding sources, we can cripple their operations. "Our deepest sympathies to the families who've been impacted by this terrible crime and who lost their loved ones that night," he 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. This investigation was a success because of multiagency collaboration at all levels of law enforcement. 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. 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