Fresno police say they have arrested 25-year-old Lelan Lee in connection with a March shooting that killed two 15-year-old boys and wounded two other juveniles. Lee was taken into custody without incident on Thursday and booked into the Fresno County Jail on multiple counts, including two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder. The March 23 attack unfolded in northeast Fresno near Fourth Street and San Jose Avenue, where officers arrived to find several juvenile victims and homicide detectives later took over the investigation.
How Investigators Say The Shooting Unfolded
Police told KFSN/ABC30 that a group of four juveniles was walking together shortly after 1 a.m. on March 23 when someone opened fire. One 15-year-old died at the scene and another 15-year-old later died at Community Regional Medical Center. A 14-year-old was found near Bond Street and San Ramon Avenue, treated for injuries and later released. Investigators say a 17-year-old in the group was also shot at but was not hit.
Arrest And Charges
Homicide detectives identified Lee as a suspect, and members of the department's Street Violence Bureau Tactical Team arrested him without incident on Thursday, according to a Fresno Police Department Facebook post. Lee was booked into the Fresno County Jail on multiple counts, including two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder. Police say the investigation is still active and they are urging anyone with information to speak up.
Where It Happened And Community Impact
The shooting took place in a residential stretch of northeast Fresno near Fourth Street and San Jose Avenue, just a block from an elementary school and Hoover High, KFSN/ABC30 reported. Local coverage noted that the killings marked Fresno's eighth and ninth homicides of the year, a grim reminder of ongoing concerns about youth gun violence in the city. After the March attack, officers canvassed the neighborhood, and investigators say they are still following leads.
Legal Process Ahead
Lee faces state felony counts that, if proven, could mean lengthy prison terms. He is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court. Prosecutors with the Fresno County District Attorney's Office will review the case to determine formal charges, and future court dates will be set through Fresno County Superior Court.
How To Help Investigators
Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact Fresno Police Homicide Detective A. Lopez at (559) 621-2443 or Detective J. Espinoza at (559) 621-2415, and to call Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867, according to GV Wire. Tips can be submitted anonymously, and the department says the investigation remains active as detectives continue to collect evidence.
