(Los Angeles Times) Late Tuesday night, police officers in Visalia, a San "And that they can begin to heal knowing that those who are responsible for this crime are in custody where they belong.". After a four-month investigation, participating law enforcement agencies say they prevented at least fiveviolent crimes and seized 56 firearms from Sureo gang members. 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. 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. Email: OnYourSide@cbsfresno.com. DOJ partnered with local law enforcement in Texas, the U.S. WebOn May 5, 2020, officers responded to a shooting in the parking lot of Golden West High School in Visalia. Additionally, arrests will also be made by law enforcement agencies in Oregon and Texas in connection with this investigation. They found two men dead in a vehicle and another nearby in the parking lot. "Information they may not think is relevant, if they can still please reach out to the Visalia PD and report any info they have.". 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. WebThree Gang Members Suspected in Triple Homicide in Visalia Arrested. TRAFFIC ALERT: Several lanes are now blocked going North on Highway 41 due to a multiple-vehicle collision in Fresno. Gavin Newsom. VISALIA On January 13, 2022, local, state and federal law enforcement agencies announced the outcomes of a major operation that resulted in the arrests of three gang members suspected of killing three teenagers at a local high school in Visalia in 2020. Jose Pena, Black Medeiros and Isaiah Rule shot to death in the parking lot of Golden West High School. Some people are upset at the way iPhones charge. 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. At the same time, a photo of possiblevehicle used in the slayingwere released to the public in hopes of identifying the suspects. To learn more about the Voice, click here. 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. Throughout 2020 and 2021,detectives forged ahead in theirinvestigation. 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. Your email address will not be published. The suspects are known Sureo, southern, gang members or associates, Salazar said. Loved ones say they will never be at ease until those responsible are held accountable, "We're going to keep fighting," said Balderama. 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. 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. Anyone with information is urged tocall the Visalia Police Departments Violent Crimes Unit at 713-4234. Police believe the victims came to the parking lot in the same car, but it's unclear what led up to the gunfire. All Rights Reserved. Once investigators learned of this criminal enterprise, they notified U.S. 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. VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- One suspect has made his first court appearance in connection to a Visalia triple homicide. All three suspects are known gang members in the Cities of Visalia and Ivanhoe. The Visalia Police Department investigation into an unsolved triple homicide was given a boost by Gov. Molina, along with 20-year Mark Aceves and 19-year old Cesar Lopez, is charged in the deaths of 19-year-old Jose Hernandez-Pena, 19-year-old Blake Medeiros, and 18-year-old Isaiah Rule. "Just lead us, lead detectives to get justice," Rule said. The weapons and narcotics were being shipped through the U.S. Abraham Molina, 20, entered a not guilty plea on Tuesday. Sometimes arrests are swift. The third was just a short distance away. This investigation utilized law enforcement departments from the local, state and federal level and resulted 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. 20-year Mark In the parking RELATED: 3 men arrested in connection to 2020 triple homicide in Visalia. The investigation has had far-reaching impacts not just in Visalia but across three states and into Mexico. "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. The teenagers Nikkole Rule-Balderrama says when she found out the police had made multiple arrests in her sons This investigation was a success because of multiagency collaboration at all levels of law enforcement. She and the other mothers have organized a justice walk to raise awareness. Isaiah Rule, along with 19-year-old Blake Mederios and 19-year-old Jose Pena, were gunned down in the 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 Detectives continued to work leads and analyze data collected during the investigation. 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. In the meantime, the victim's families are just waiting and praying for closure. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 1979-2023 Valley Voice, all rights reserved. Law enforcement agents also seized24 firearmsduring the operation. A copy of this disclaimer can also be found on our Disclaimer page. The teenagers were found dead from gunshot wounds inside of a vehicle near the high school. FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- "It's hard; I don't know how to accept it," says mother of 18-year-old Isaiah Rule. In total, detectives authored 90 search warrants, conducted 60 interviews, searched over 220 digital accounts, and followed up on numerous anonymous tips. RELATED: 3 dead after shooting in parking lot at Golden West High School in Visalia. Those individuals with information are asked to contact the Visalia Police Departments Violent Crimes Unit at (559) 713-4234. 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. This investigation was a success because of multiagency collaboration at all levels of law enforcement. Now, nearly three months since the homicide, Visalia police are turning to the community for help with information. Officers arrived and found three victims suffering from gunshot wounds. "My son said, 'Mom, I'm going to go get tacos and I'll be right back' and I'm waiting for him to walk through that door. "I don't know how to go on without him. 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. Over the course of the investigation, 37arrests were made, at leastfiveviolent crimes were prevented, and a total of56firearms were seized from Sureo gang members and associates. 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. Visalia Police Department applies for $50,000 from the state as a reward to find those responsible for gunning down three teenagers in the Golden West parking lot in May 2020. Postal Service, according to investigators. The Golden West mascot is the trailblazers. "It is not going to fix it, but it will still give us some answers that we are looking for.". 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. 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. WebPhoto provided by the Visalia Police Department The shooting occurred on May 5, 2020, at Golden West High School in Visalia where Jose Hernandez-Pea, 19, Isaiah Rule, 18, Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. The day that an arrest is made in a murder investigation, marks the beginning of a path to justice for grieving families. The weapons and drugs were being shipped through the U.S. Police say all three men are gang members or associates. Based on all information revealed during the investigation, detectives have identified suspects Mark Aceves (20), Cesar Lopez (19), and Abraham Molina (20) as being involved in the triple homicide that occurred in the City of Visalia on May 5, 2020. Ashley Williams is Blake's mother. Twenty-seven Sureo gang members were arrested, including the three Visalia homicide suspects. Phone: 559-761-0383 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. Violent Crimes Detectives with the Visalia Police Department have worked the case tirelessly since that night. A press release from the Visalia Police Department. On May 5, 2020, officers were Jose Carlos Hernandez Pena, 19, Isaiah Rule, 18, and Blake Madeiros, 19, were found dead in the Balderama and Williams said they still don't know what happened the night of the shooting. DOJs Special Operations Unit is a collaborative investigative effort between DOJ and the California Highway Patrol. We need to speak up for these boys.". Authorities have announced the arrests of three men in connection with a triple homicide that occurred in May 2020 in Visalia. The United States Attorneys Office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to take on these criminal organizations.. 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. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. The investigation also uncovered a drug and firearm trafficking ring run by members and associates of the Sureos. It's still unclear how or if the suspects knew the victims before gunfire erupted. 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. On May 5, 2020, Visalia police were called to Golden West High School for shots fired in the area. 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. Anyone with information is asked to call the Visalia Police Department and you can remain anonymous. WebBased on all information revealed during the investigation, detectives have identified suspects Mark Aceves (20), Cesar Lopez (19), and Abraham Molina (20) as being VISALIA Just a few weeks after The investigation into a triple homicide in Visalia in May has led to the seizure of drugs, guns, money, and more. Aceves and Lopez will be arraigned on January 25. 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. The victims in this case were identified as Jose Hernandez-Pena (19), Isaiah Rule (18), and Blake Medeiros (19). WebLate Tuesday night, police officers in Visalia, a San Joaquin Valley city about 40 miles southeast of Fresno, responded to a report of shots fired at a high school. WebOn May 5, police found the three men shot and killed at Golden West High School in Visalia. 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