The Golden West mascot is the trailblazers. Two of the victims "I'm going to keep fighting. In October, detectivesapplied for a $50,000 reward through the State of California Governors Office to help solve the case. 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. Your email address will not be published. The firearms were then sold to local gang members or smuggled into Mexico in exchange for morenarcotics. 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. Triple Homicide Update Press Release Revision Date: 10/4/2021 (116.3 KB) More Info: 21-080714 Att. 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. Surveillance video from the school showed a suspect vehicle driving up to the Blake's mom, Ashley Williams, said she lost a piece of herself when her son's life was taken. Police believe the victims came to the parking lot in the same car, but it's unclear what led up to the gunfire. The investigation also uncovered a drug and firearm trafficking ring run by members and associates of the Sureos. Coping with his loss is a daily struggle. "They've exhausted leads and that's why we're asking for the public's assistance," says Visalia Police Sgt. While the primary focus of this operation was to bring the suspects responsible for the homicides to justice, the investigation also identified a criminal enterprise operating across state lines and into the country of Mexico. 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. 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 Police Chief Jason Salazar and other authorities announced Thursday, January 13, 2022 the arrest of dozens of members of the Sureo criminal At the same time, a photo of possiblevehicle used in the slayingwere released to the public in hopes of identifying the suspects. Once investigators learned of this criminal enterprise, they notified U.S. As you know, sometimes it takes months and even years," Ward said. 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. Contact CBS47 and let us be On Your Side. Visalia was one of four agencies selected by Gov. The investigation has had far-reaching impacts not just in Visalia but across three states and into Mexico. To learn more about the Voice, click here. "It is not going to fix it, but it will still give us some answers that we are looking for.". 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. Green was 31 years old and an 11-year veteran of the Exeter Police Department. Law enforcement agents also seized24 firearmsduring todays operation. Additionally, arrests will also be made by law enforcement agencies in Oregon and Texas in connection with this investigation. The night after the murder, 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. In total, detectives authored 90 search warrants, conducted 60 interviews, searched over 220 digital accounts, and followed up on numerous anonymous tips. The team also seized approximately20pounds of cocaine from suspects involved in the trafficking. DOJs Special Operations Unit is a collaborative investigative effort between DOJ and the California Highway Patrol. Two of the victims were found in a car. A $9,000 reward is available through Valley Crime Stoppers. Anyone with information is asked to call the Visalia Police Department and you can remain anonymous. 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. 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. 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. WebVisalia police turns to community for help with info after triple homicide. 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. Detectives have also met with the victims family members on a regular basis to keep them updated on the progress of this case. Abraham Molina, 20, entered a not guilty plea on Tuesday. Sometimes arrests are swift. In the parking 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. District Attorney Tim Ward added that while it took time to get to Thursday's announcement, prosecutors will work hard to ensure closure follows. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This investigation was a success because of multiagency collaboration at all levels of law enforcement. Postal Service. Gavin Newsom to receive the reward. TRAFFIC ALERT: Several lanes are now blocked going North on Highway 41 due to a multiple-vehicle collision in Fresno. USPS inspectors coordinated with Texas authorities, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorneys Office to seize several postal packages. WebSuspect in Visalia triple homicide pleads not guilty to murder charges. Anyone with information on the shooting or the two vehicles is asked to call the Visalia Police Department. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. "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. 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. Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. The investigation also uncovered a drug and firearm trafficking ring run by members and associates of the Sureos. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. Once officers arrived, they located a solo vehicle 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.". The day that an arrest is made in a murder investigation, marks the beginning of a path to justice for grieving families. 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. 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. Required fields are marked *. 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.. Law enforcement agents also seized24 firearmsduring the operation. The victims were later identified as 19-year-old Jose Hernandez-Pena, 19-year-old Blake Medeiros, and 18-year-old Isaiah Rule. The governors reward of $50,000 is still available to material witnesses who can provide investigators and prosecutors with direct knowledge of the triple homicide. In December of 2021, the Governor approved the reward. Do you have a problem that you need help solving? WebOn May 5, police found the three men shot and killed at Golden West High School in Visalia. When officers arrived, they found Jose Pena, Black Medeiros and Isaiah Rule shot to death. The suspects are known Sureo, southern, gang members or associates, Salazar said. "And that they can begin to heal knowing that those who are responsible for this crime are in custody where they belong.". 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. Postal Inspection Service, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California to seize several postal packages containing18firearms. "It's only a matter of time.". 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. Those with information are asked to contact the Visalia Police Department at (559) 713-4234. 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. 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.. Postal Service, according to investigators. 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.. The teenagers were found dead from gunshot wounds inside of a vehicle near the high school. During the investigation, law enforcement agents identified Sureo gang members as suspects in the murders. 2023 www.visaliatimesdelta.com. 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.. "Whatever happens in the dark comes to light," Williams 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. All rights reserved. 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. January 19, 2022, 9:38 AM. All Rights Reserved. Staff, login here. The Visalia Police Department investigation into an unsolved triple homicide was given a boost by Gov. 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. 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. "Our hope is that today's operation can begin to bring some justice to these families," Salazar said. 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