Celestina Sanchez. "We want to know what happened to our boys," said Williams. "They've exhausted leads and that's why we're asking for the public's assistance," says Visalia Police Sgt. 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 Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. 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. In the meantime, the victim's families are just waiting and praying for closure. 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. Thank you to all of the officers and agents who worked together to solve these murders and get those involved off our streets.. DOJs Special Operations Unit is a collaborative investigative effort between DOJ and the California Highway Patrol. Violent Crimes Detectives with the Visalia Police Department have worked the case tirelessly since that night. Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. On Dec. 20, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a reward for information that helped lead to an arrest in the triple homicide. Sometimes arrests are swift. He was surrounded by local, stateand federal law enforcement. Ashley Williams is Blake's mother. "It is not going to fix it, but it will still give us some answers that we are looking for.". Police say all three men are gang members or associates. Breakthrough, Wake-Up Weather: AM showers then mild and breezy, Government must build a better process for infrastructure projects | Opinion. Gavin Newsom. Anyone with information is asked to call the Visalia Police Department and you can remain anonymous. But they believe there could be three suspects based on witness reports. Coping with his loss is a daily struggle. 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. All Rights Reserved. On May 5, 2020, officers were 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. 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.. 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. VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- Authorities have announced the arrests of three men in connection with a triple homicide that occurred in May 2020 in Visalia. The victims were later identified as 19-year-old Jose Hernandez-Pena, 19-year-old Blake Medeiros, and 18-year-old Isaiah Rule. 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. 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. Blake's mom, Ashley Williams, said she lost a piece of herself when her son's life was taken. In October, detectivesapplied for a $50,000 reward through the State of California Governors Office to help solve the case. 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. 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. 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. Detectives continued to work leads and analyze data collected during the investigation. During the investigation, law 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. FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- "It's hard; I don't know how to accept it," says mother of 18-year-old Isaiah Rule. (Los Angeles Times) Late Tuesday night, police officers in Visalia, a San 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. Law enforcement agents also seized24 firearmsduring the operation. 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.. "Our deepest sympathies to the families who've been impacted by this terrible crime and who lost their loved ones that night," he said. 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. Two of the victims Anyone with information on the shooting or the two vehicles is asked to call the Visalia Police Department. It's still unclear how or if the suspects knew the victims before gunfire erupted. 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. All rights reserved. Jose Carlos Hernandez Pena, 19, Isaiah Rule, 18, and Blake Madeiros, 19, were found dead in the 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. 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. Visalia was one of four agencies selected by Gov. Postal Service, according to investigators. WebBased on all information revealed during the investigation, detectives have identified suspects Mark Aceves (20), Cesar Lopez (19), and Abraham Molina (20) as being They're often identified by wearing blue bandanas, clothes and jewelry and the number 13. 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 Dec. 20, Gov. 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. Everybody's family is going to keep fighting.". The investigation also uncovered a drug and firearm trafficking ring run by members and associates of the Sureos. 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. Today at 4:31 PM. The teenagers were found dead from gunshot wounds inside of a vehicle near the high school. Anyone with information is urged tocall the Visalia Police Departments Violent Crimes Unit at 713-4234. Those individuals with information are asked to contact the Visalia Police Departments Violent Crimes Unit at (559) 713-4234. Balderama and Williams said they still don't know what happened the night of the shooting. Now, nearly three months since the homicide, Visalia police are turning to the community for help with information. "I sit there waiting for him walking through the door," she said. 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. Jose Pena, Black Medeiros and Isaiah Rule shot to death in the parking lot of Golden West High School. On September 29th, 2020, the Visalia Police Department partnered with Central Valley Crime Stoppers and the friends and family of Isaiah Rule, Blake Medeiros, and Jose Hernandez-Pea to offer a $9,000 reward for information leading to an arrest of the suspect or suspects responsible for the homicides. 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 victims in this case were identified as Jose Hernandez-Pena (19), Isaiah Rule (18), and Blake Medeiros (19). "It's only a matter of time.". 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. 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. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. January 19, 2022, 9:38 AM. The weapons and narcotics were being shipped through the U.S. "I'm going to keep fighting. Today at 3:54 PM. Do you have a problem that you need help solving? DOJ partnered with local law enforcement in Texas, the U.S. 3 men arrested in connection to 2020 triple homicide in Visalia. 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. To learn more about the Voice, click here. She says not having any answers is the hardest part. Investigators from several agencies, including the Visalia Police Department, Tulare County Sheriff's Office, the Tulare County District Attorney's Office, the Attorney General's Office and the FBI arrested 20-year-old Mark Aceves, 19-year-old Cesar Lopez, and 20-year-old Abraham Molina Thursday morning. Email: OnYourSide@cbsfresno.com. Previous coverage:DAcalls on lawmakers to bring justice to Operation Trailblazer suspects. 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