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. Those individuals with information are asked to contact the Visalia Police Departments Violent Crimes Unit at (559) 713-4234. 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. Anyone with information is urged tocall the Visalia Police Departments Violent Crimes Unit at 713-4234. 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. The third was just a short distance away. 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. If we can suffocate their funding sources, we can cripple their operations. "It is not going to fix it, but it will still give us some answers that we are looking for.". Anyone with information is asked to call the Visalia Police Department and you can remain anonymous. 3 dead after shooting in parking lot at Golden West High School in Visalia. To learn more about the Voice, click here. The day that an arrest is made in a murder investigation, marks the beginning of a path to justice for grieving families. WebOn May 5, 2020, officers responded to a shooting in the parking lot of Golden West High School in Visalia. The unit provides statewide enforcement for combating violent career criminals, gangs, and organized crime groups, along with intrastate drug traffickers. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Thank you to all of the officers and agents who worked together to solve these murders and get those involved off our streets.. 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. "I sit there waiting for him walking through the door," she said. The teenagers On May 5, 2020, Visalia police were called to Golden West High School for shots fired in the area. 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. "Our hope is that today's operation can begin to bring some justice to these families," Salazar said. Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. Abraham Molina, 20, entered a not guilty plea on Tuesday. Aceves and Lopez will be arraigned on January 25. Phone: 559-761-0383 In total, detectives authored 90 search warrants, conducted 60 interviews, searched over 220 digital accounts, and followed up on numerous anonymous tips. 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. The night after the murder, "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. USPS inspectors coordinated with Texas authorities, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorneys Office to seize several postal packages. 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. At the same time, a photo of possiblevehicle used in the slayingwere released to the public in hopes of identifying the suspects. During the investigation, law enforcement agents identified Sureo gang members as suspects in the murders. 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. A $9,000 reward is available through Valley Crime Stoppers. "We want to know what happened to our boys," said Williams. Isaiah Rule, along with 19-year-old Blake Mederios and 19-year-old Jose Pena, were gunned down in the Visalia was one of four agencies selected by Gov. 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. 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. Postal Service. 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. "Whatever happens in the dark comes to light," Williams said. 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. The team also seized approximately20pounds of cocaine from suspects involved in the trafficking. Required fields are marked *. Police believe the victims came to the parking lot in the same car, but it's unclear what led up to the gunfire. On January 13th, 2022, Officers and Tactical Units from Visalia Police Department, California Highway Patrol, Kings County Sheriffs Office, Porterville Police Department, Kings County Major Crimes Task Force, Fresno County District Attorneys Office, Tulare County Sheriffs Office, Department of Justice, California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation (CDCR), CDCR Pleasant Valley, Bakersfield Police Department, Merced County Sheriffs Office, Kern County Sheriffs Office, Fresno County Sheriffs Office, Tulare Police Department, CDCR North Kern, CDCR Corcoran, MAGEC Task Force, Sacramento FBI, Bakersfield FBI, and San Francisco FBI, served twenty-seven (27) state search warrants, eighteen (18) state arrest warrants, five (5) federal search warrants, and four (4) federal arrest warrants. 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. Thank you to the law enforcement officers who risked their safety to investigate and arrest these dangerous suspects. CSLEA President Alan Barcelona. WebOn May 5, police found the three men shot and killed at Golden West High School in Visalia. FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- "It's hard; I don't know how to accept it," says mother of 18-year-old Isaiah Rule. Candles and heartfelt messages surround a photo of Isaiah. TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) In a joint press conference Thursday, state and local officials announced the arrest of suspects said to be involved in the 2020 deaths of three teens in Visalia. Please consult with a translator for accuracy if you are relying on the translation or are using this site for official business. "Our deepest sympathies to the families who've been impacted by this terrible crime and who lost their loved ones that night," he said. WebArrests in Visalia triple homicide lead to criminal enterprise bust AboutPressCopyrightContact usCreatorsAdvertiseDevelopersTermsPrivacyPolicy & 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. 20-year Mark WebThree men were fatally shot in the parking lot of Golden West High School in Visalia Tuesday night. According to detectives, an investigation into a 2020 shooting in Visalia that killed three teenagers led to the discovery of a criminal enterprise operating across state lines and into the country of Mexico.. She and the other mothers have organized a justice walk to raise awareness. During the investigation, law 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. 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. January 19, 2022, 9:38 AM. Twenty-seven Sureo gang members were arrested, including the three Visalia homicide suspects. The victims were later identified as 19-year-old Jose Hernandez-Pena, 19-year-old Blake Medeiros, and 18-year-old Isaiah Rule. 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. 2023 www.visaliatimesdelta.com. 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. Valley Crime Stoppers and the victim's families are offering a $9,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of the suspect or suspects. They found two men dead in a vehicle and another nearby in the parking lot. 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. FOX26. "It's only a matter of time.". Detectives also met with the victims'family members on a regular basis to keep them updated on the progress of this case. The investigation has had far-reaching impacts not just in Visalia but across three states and into Mexico. We need to be their voice. The victims in this case were identified as Jose Hernandez-Pena (19), Isaiah Rule (18), and Blake Medeiros (19). 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. Ashley Williams is Blake's mother. 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. "Somebody knows something; it takes one person to give the right lead," Rule said. Once officers arrived, they located a solo vehicle in the parking lot. It's still unclear how or if the suspects knew the victims before gunfire erupted. 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.. 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. Now, nearly three months since the homicide, Visalia police are turning to the community for help with information. This investigation was a success because of multiagency collaboration at all levels of law enforcement. Law enforcement agencies may ask the Governor to issue rewards in certain unsolved cases where they have exhausted all investigative leads to encourage individuals with information about the crimes to come forward, the Governors office wrote in a press release. An investigation that began with the tragic murder of three young people in Visalia led to law enforcement uncovering a drug and firearms conspiracy that reached from California to Texas and Mexico,said Attorney General Rob Bonta. Jose Pena, Black Medeiros and Isaiah Rule shot to death in the parking lot of Golden West High School. Loved ones say they will never be at ease until those responsible are held accountable, "We're going to keep fighting," said Balderama. 20-year Mark Aceves and 19-year old Cesar Lopez will be arraigned on January 25. TRAFFIC ALERT: Several lanes are now blocked going North on Highway 41 due to a multiple-vehicle collision in Fresno. "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.. "They don't have a voice anymore. Upon approaching the vehicle, officers located two deceased males in the vehicle and one deceased male in the parking lot, all suffering from gunshot wounds. VISALIA Just a few weeks after Authorities have announced the arrests of three men in connection with a triple homicide that occurred in May 2020 in Visalia. 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. 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. He was surrounded by local, stateand federal law enforcement. 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. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. 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., Todays announcement is the result of a collaborative effort between local, state, and federal agencies targeting a violent gangs supply chain of methamphetamine, said U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert. 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. DOJs Special Operations Unit is a collaborative investigative effort between DOJ and the California Highway Patrol. They're often identified by wearing blue bandanas, clothes and jewelry and the number 13. On Thursday, Visalia Police Chief Jason Salazar stood at a podium placed inside a spaciousexhibit hall at the Visalia Convention Center. Here's why. 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. 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. Gavin Newsom to receive the reward. Abraham Molina, 20, entered a not guilty plea on Tuesday. Do you have a problem that you need help solving? Anyone with No arrests were made at the time of the shooting or in the months that followed. Two of the victims were found in a car. 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. Jose Carlos Hernandez Pena, 19, Isaiah Rule, 18, and Blake Madeiros, 19, were found dead in the Police say all three men are gang members or associates. As you know, sometimes it takes months and even years," Ward said. The unit provides statewide enforcement for combating violent career criminals, gangs, and organized crime groups, along with intrastate drug traffickers. 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. Those seizures resulted in eighteen (18) firearms and twenty (20) pounds of cocaine being intercepted by law enforcement. 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. I don't know how to accept that he is gone.". In the parking The weapons and narcotics were being shipped through the U.S. 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. Arrests in California triple homicide lead to criminal enterprise bust. Law enforcement agents also seized24 firearmsduring todays operation. ) pounds of cocaine being intercepted by law enforcement '' Salazar said due a... Pounds of cocaine being intercepted by law enforcement can remain anonymous being intercepted law. The Voice, click here the weapons and narcotics were being shipped through the door, she. 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Once officers arrived, they located a solo vehicle in the parking lot Golden... 19-Year-Old Blake Medeiros, and 18-year-old Isaiah Rule shot to death in the parking of. On Tuesday grieving families their funding sources, we can suffocate their funding sources, we can suffocate funding! Blocked going North on Highway 41 due to a shooting in the parking lot old Cesar will... Gone. `` a not guilty plea on Tuesday was surrounded by local, stateand law... Bring some justice to these families, '' Salazar said of this,...
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