Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. He was surrounded by local, stateand federal law enforcement. 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. "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.". Staff, login here. Additional arrests are expected to be made by law enforcement agencies in Oregon and Texas in connection with this investigation. How did, Whats driving the players behind Israels legal, European Union finalizing plans to allow US tourists, Prince Philip is laid to rest as somber queen sits, Countries worldwide hit new records for virus cases,, WHO team: More studies needed of coronavirus origin, Trains collide in southern Egypt, killing at least, Who are the superspreaders behind top COVID-19 conspiracy, Global death toll from COVID-19 tops 2 million, US now says no evidence of kill capture teams at, Georgia Rep. Greene says she plans to file articles, Preliminary 7.4 quake shakes Mexico Tuesday morning, The 4 others arrested in connection with bombing, State of emergency declared in Madera County, power, Efforts to restore power to areas affected by storm, I-5 reopens with CHP escorts Wednesday afternoon, A drug-resistant infection has health experts on, Caltrans: Highway 140 closed in Midpines due to rockslides, MCSO names new agriculture crimes detective, CLOSED: Yosemite Unified shuts all schools for the, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. WebOn May 5, 2020, officers responded to a shooting in the parking lot of Golden West High School in Visalia. Here's why. But they believe there could be three suspects based on witness reports. 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.. The Golden West mascot is the trailblazers. They're often identified by wearing blue bandanas, clothes and jewelry and the number 13. When officers arrived, they found Jose Pena, Black Medeiros and Isaiah Rule shot to death. "I'm going to keep fighting. Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. On the anniversary of the young men's deaths, family and friends gathered where their lives were tragically taken, to fill the space with hope and light, and to support one another in the fight for justice. This investigation was a success because of multiagency collaboration at all levels of law enforcement. 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. 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. 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. Twenty-seven Sureo gang members were arrested, including the three Visalia homicide suspects. Contact CBS47 and let us be On Your Side. On Thursday, Visalia Police Chief Jason Salazar stood at a podium placed inside a spaciousexhibit hall at the Visalia Convention Center. Everybody's family is going to keep fighting.". Blake's mom, Ashley Williams, said she lost a piece of herself when her son's life was taken. Balderama and Williams said they still don't know what happened the night of the shooting. His mother set up the memorial outside her home in Visalia in hopes that those driving by won't forget that she and two other families are still searching for answers. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 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. FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- "It's hard; I don't know how to accept it," says mother of 18-year-old Isaiah Rule. 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. 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. After receiving several tips, investigators ask for the public's help to identify the owner or anyone associated with two vehicles. 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. The teenagers As you know, sometimes it takes months and even years," Ward said. 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. Previous coverage:DAcalls on lawmakers to bring justice to Operation Trailblazer suspects. DOJs Special Operations Unit is a collaborative investigative effort between DOJ and the California Highway Patrol. 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. 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. 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.. Coping with his loss is a daily struggle. 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. Required fields are marked *. The victims were later identified as 19-year-old Jose Hernandez-Pena, 19-year-old Blake Medeiros, and 18-year-old Isaiah Rule. 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. This investigation utilized law enforcement departments from the local, state and federal level and resulted 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, 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. 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. Postal Inspectors and coordinated with local Texas Law Enforcement Agencies, the F.B.I., and the U.S. Attorneys Office to seize several postal packages. Jose Pena, Black Medeiros and Isaiah Rule shot to death in the parking lot of Golden West High School. 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. On Dec. 20, Gov. 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. On May 5, 2020, officers were 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. 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. WebThe investigation into a triple homicide in Visalia in May has led to the seizure of drugs, guns, money, and more. The team also seized approximately20pounds of cocaine from suspects involved in the trafficking. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 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. The investigation also uncovered a drug and firearm trafficking ring run by members and associates of the Sureos. Two of the victims 3 men arrested in connection to 2020 triple homicide in Visalia. During the investigation, law enforcement agents identified Sureo gang members as suspects in the murders. 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.. They were shot to death in May of 2020 in the parking lot at Golden West High School. 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. VISALIA California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced the arrest of multiple members of the Sureocriminalstreet gang for their involvement in the 2020 murders of three teenagers at a local high school in Visalia. WebVisalia police turns to community for help with info after triple homicide. WebSuspect in Visalia triple homicide pleads not guilty to murder charges. Thank you to the law enforcement officers who risked their safety to investigate and arrest these dangerous suspects. CSLEA President Alan Barcelona. Detectives continued to work leads and analyze data collected during the investigation. 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. "Somebody knows something; it takes one person to give the right lead," Rule said. The day that an arrest is made in a murder investigation, marks the beginning of a path to justice for grieving families. All three of the suspects are Sureo street gang members or associates. Green was 31 years old and an 11-year veteran of the Exeter Police Department. In September of 2020, the Visalia Police Department partnered with Central Valley Crime Stoppers along with friends and family of the victims to offer a $9,000 award for any information leading to an arrest. The unit provides statewide enforcement for combating violent career criminals, gangs, and organized crime groups, along with intrastate drug traffickers. Over the course of the investigation, the Visalia Police Department was assisted by the Tulare County Sheriffs Office, Tulare County District Attorneys Office, US Attorneys Office Eastern District of California, Federal Bureau of Investigation, California Department of Justice Bureau of Investigations & Firearms, and the California Highway Patrol Special Operations Unit. "I don't know how to go on without him. I have three other kids, so I have to wake up, but you just don't want to wake up.". Email: OnYourSide@cbsfresno.com. Candles and heartfelt messages surround a photo of Isaiah. A press release from the Visalia Police Department. It's still unclear how or if the suspects knew the victims before gunfire erupted. 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. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. 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. 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. The investigation also uncovered a drug and firearm trafficking ring run by members and associates of the Sureos. The firearms were then sold to local gang members or smuggled into Mexico in exchange for morenarcotics. 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. Once officers arrived, they located a solo vehicle in the parking lot. "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. 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. "Information they may not think is relevant, if they can still please reach out to the Visalia PD and report any info they have.". During the investigation, law enforcement agents identified Sureo gang members as suspects in the murders. Today at 3:54 PM. The firearms were then sold to local gang members or smuggled into Mexico in exchange for morenarcotics. WebBased on all information revealed during the investigation, detectives have identified suspects Mark Aceves (20), Cesar Lopez (19), and Abraham Molina (20) as being Authorities have announced the arrests of three men in connection with a triple homicide that occurred in May 2020 in Visalia. Detectives also met with the victims'family members on a regular basis to keep them updated on the progress of this case. In the meantime, the victim's families are just waiting and praying for closure. Once officers arrived, they located a solo vehicle in the parking lot. "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.. Anyone with 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. Solo vehicle in the trafficking and arrest these dangerous suspects day that an arrest is in. Give the right lead, '' Rule said after receiving several tips, investigators for! Drugs, guns, money, and more veteran of the Sureos 31 years and! 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