Visalia Police Department Violent Crimes Detectives, Special Enforcement Unit Officers, and Crime Scene Investigators were called out to assist in the investigation. The weapons and drugs were being shipped through the U.S. Do you have a problem that you need help solving? 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. 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. 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. To learn more about the Voice, click here. This investigation utilized law enforcement departments from the local, state and federal level and resulted "I don't know how to go on without him. The team also seized approximately20pounds of cocaine from suspects involved in the trafficking. Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. Visalia Police DepartmentVisalia police are looking for these vehicles thought to be linked to an unsolved triple homicide. WebThe governors reward of $50,000 is still available to material witnesses who can provide investigators and prosecutors with direct knowledge of the triple homicide. The firearms were then sold to local gang members or smuggled into Mexico in exchange for morenarcotics. 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. At the same time, a photo of possiblevehicle used in the slayingwere released to the public in hopes of identifying the suspects. 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. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. Coping with his loss is a daily struggle. 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. WebVisalia Police are looking for two vehicles they believe are associated with the killing of three teens in the Golden West parking lost last year. FOX26. DOJs Special Operations Unit is a collaborative investigative effort between DOJ and the California Highway Patrol. Today, 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 assistance of these various agencies was imperative in helping the Visalia Police Department to bolster the cases against the identified suspects and their associates. All three suspects are known gang members in the Cities of Visalia and Ivanhoe. "I sit there waiting for him walking through the door," she said. Further investigation into the gang revealed that several members and associates were importingboth stolen and lawfully purchasedfirearmsfrom Texasusing proceeds from the sale oftheillegal narcoticswhich were being trafficked into California from Mexico. Two of the victims 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. In May 2020, investigators say they responded to reports of shots being fired in the high school parking lot. All Rights Reserved. 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. It's still unclear how or if the suspects knew the victims before gunfire erupted. She and the other mothers have organized a justice walk to raise awareness. "It's only a matter of time.". The teenagers Green was 31 years old and an 11-year veteran of the Exeter Police Department. In October, detectivesapplied for a $50,000 reward through the State of California Governors Office to help solve the case. 3 men arrested in connection to 2020 triple homicide 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. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. VISALIA Just a few weeks after 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. 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. In total, detectives authored 90 search warrants, conducted 60 interviews, searched over 220 digital accounts, and followed up on numerous anonymous tips. 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. 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. Today at 3:54 PM. 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. "They don't have a voice anymore. On Thursday, Visalia Police Chief Jason Salazar stood at a podium placed inside a spaciousexhibit hall at the Visalia Convention Center. 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, Email: OnYourSide@cbsfresno.com. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. "Just lead us, lead detectives to get justice," Rule 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. Nikkole Rule-Balderrama says when she found out the police had made multiple arrests in her sons My family is going to keep fighting. Authorities have announced the arrests of three men in connection with a triple homicide that occurred in May 2020 in Visalia. 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. Additionally, arrests will also be made by law enforcement agencies in Oregon and Texas in connection with this investigation. 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. 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. WebArrests in Visalia triple homicide lead to criminal enterprise bust AboutPressCopyrightContact usCreatorsAdvertiseDevelopersTermsPrivacyPolicy & 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. On Thursday, 300 officers from multiple law enforcement agenciesserved 27 state search warrants, 18 state arrest warrants, five federal search warrantsand four federal arrest warrants. Visalia was one of four agencies selected by Gov. Officers arrived and found three victims suffering from gunshot wounds. 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 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. On Sept. 29, 2020, the Visalia Police Department partnered with Central Valley Crime Stoppers and the friends and family ofRule, Medeirosand Hernandez-Pea to offer a $9,000 reward for information leading to an arrest of the suspects. We need to be their voice. Once investigators learned of this criminal enterprise, they notified U.S. Jose Pena, Black Medeiros and Isaiah Rule shot to death in the parking lot of Golden West High School. Sometimes arrests are swift. "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. A copy of this disclaimer can also be found on our Disclaimer page. In December of 2021, the Governor approved the reward. The United States Attorneys Office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to take on these criminal organizations.. When officers arrived, they found Jose Pena, Black Medeiros and Isaiah Rule shot to death. Nearly two years after three teenagers were gunned down in the parking lot of Golden West High School, their grieving families were told arrests had finally been made. Throughout 2020 and 2021,detectives forged ahead in theirinvestigation. All Rights Reserved. Twenty-seven Sureo gang members were arrested, including the three Visalia homicide suspects. "They've exhausted leads and that's why we're asking for the public's assistance," says Visalia Police Sgt. 20-year Mark Aceves and 19-year old Cesar Lopez will be arraigned on January 25. This Google translation feature is provided for informational purposes only. Everybody's family is going to keep fighting.". DOJs Special Operations Unit is a collaborative investigative effort between DOJ and the California Highway Patrol. Arrests in California triple homicide lead to criminal enterprise bust. One of the vehicles is a darker-colored truck, and the other is a light-colored car. "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. Staff, login here. 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. During the investigation, law enforcement agents identified Sureo gang members as suspects in the murders. All Rights Reserved. Triple Homicide Update Press Release Revision Date: 10/4/2021 (116.3 KB) More Info: 21-080714 Att. 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. Mark Aceves,20;Cesar Lopez, 19;and Abraham Molina, 20, were arrested and charged inthe May 2020 triple homicide. Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. They interviewed numerous witnesses, collected evidence, and authored search warrants in an attempt to piece together what happened that May night. 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. 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. Jose Carlos Hernandez Pena, 19, Isaiah Rule, 18, and Blake Madeiros, 19, were found dead in the California DOJ partnered with local law enforcement in Texas, the U.S. As you know, sometimes it takes months and even years," Ward said. Aceves and Lopez will be arraigned on January 25. Web-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. Those individuals with information are asked to contact the Visalia Police Departments Violent Crimes Unit at (559) 713-4234. 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. RELATED: 3 dead after shooting in parking lot at Golden West High School in Visalia. "Our hope is that today's operation can begin to bring some justice to these families," Salazar said. During the investigation, law enforcement agents identified Sureo gang members as suspects in the murders. 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. WebThe investigation into a triple homicide in Visalia in May has led to the seizure of drugs, guns, money, and more. 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.. "No family should have to endure a loss like that.". 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. Required fields are marked *. Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. "We want to know what happened to our boys," said Williams. 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. He was surrounded by local, stateand federal law enforcement. After a four-month investigation, participating law enforcement agencies say they prevented at least fiveviolent crimes and seized 56 firearms from Sureo gang members. Surveillance video from the school showed a suspect vehicle driving up to the 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. All Rights Reserved. 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. The investigation has had far-reaching impacts not just in Visalia but across three states and into Mexico. RELATED: 3 dead after shooting in parking lot at Golden West High School in Visalia. 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