As you know, sometimes it takes months and even years," Ward said. District Attorney Tim Ward added that while it took time to get to Thursday's announcement, prosecutors will work hard to ensure closure follows. The weapons and narcotics were being shipped through the U.S. This Google translation feature is provided for informational purposes only. Gavin Newsom. 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. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. WebThree Gang Members Suspected in Triple Homicide in Visalia Arrested. "It is not going to fix it, but it will still give us some answers that we are looking for.". Mark Aceves,20;Cesar Lopez, 19;and Abraham Molina, 20, were arrested and charged inthe May 2020 triple homicide. Police say all three men are gang members or associates. TRAFFIC ALERT: Several lanes are now blocked going North on Highway 41 due to a multiple-vehicle collision in Fresno. California DOJ partnered with local law enforcement in Texas, the U.S. "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 suspects are known Sureo, southern, gang members or associates, Salazar said. Breakthrough, Wake-Up Weather: AM showers then mild and breezy, Government must build a better process for infrastructure projects | Opinion. USPS inspectors coordinated with Texas authorities, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorneys Office to seize several postal packages. Once officers arrived, they located a solo vehicle in the parking lot. 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 also uncovered a drug and firearm trafficking ring run by members and associates of the Sureos. At the same time, a photo of possiblevehicle used in the slayingwere released to the public in hopes of identifying the suspects. 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. The investigation into a triple homicide in Visalia in May has led to the seizure of drugs, guns, money, and more. During the investigation, law enforcement agents identified Sureo gang members as suspects in the murders. (Los Angeles Times) Late Tuesday night, police officers in Visalia, a San 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. 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. 3 dead after shooting in parking lot at Golden West High School in Visalia. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. 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. "Our hope is that today's operation can begin to bring some justice to these families," Salazar said. WebPrevious coverage: 3 arrests made in Visalia triple homicide Police found Jose Hernandez-Pea, 19; Isaiah Rule, 18; and Blake Medeiros, 19, dead with gunshot 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. They interviewed numerous witnesses, collected evidence, and authored search warrants in an attempt to piece together what happened that May night. The day that an arrest is made in a murder investigation, marks the beginning of a path to justice for grieving families. Isaiah Rule, along with 19-year-old Blake Mederios and 19-year-old Jose Pena, were gunned down in the Thank you to the law enforcement officers who risked their safety to investigate and arrest these dangerous suspects. CSLEA President Alan Barcelona. 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. 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. 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. Blake's mom, Ashley Williams, said she lost a piece of herself when her son's life was taken. RELATED: 3 dead after shooting in parking lot at Golden West High School in Visalia. 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 team also seized approximately20pounds of cocaine from suspects involved in the trafficking. 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. A copy of this disclaimer can also be found on our Disclaimer page. Now, nearly three months since the homicide, Visalia police are turning to the community for help with information. Once investigators learned of this criminal enterprise, they notified U.S. Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. 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. "Information they may not think is relevant, if they can still please reach out to the Visalia PD and report any info they have.". Heannounced the details of Operation Trailblazer and the subsequent arrests of the men accused of killing JoseHernandez-Pea, 19;Isaiah Rule, 18;andBlake Medeiros, 19. 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. Two of the victims were found in a car. On May 5, 2020, Visalia police were called to Golden West High School for shots fired in the area. 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. Coping with his loss is a daily struggle. 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. 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, Police believe the victims came to the parking lot in the same car, but it's unclear what led up to the gunfire. "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. We need to be their voice. 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. During todays search and arrest operation,27Sureos members and associates were arrested, including three who are suspected to be directly involved in the triple homicide. Detectives learned that local Sureo gang members and associates were importing guns from Texas and were paying for the weapons with methamphetamine and cocaine obtained from drug trafficking organizations in Mexico. Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. VISALIA The reward to catch those who gunned down three teens in the Golden West parking lot last year is now $61,000 thanks to the governor. 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 don't know any mother who can accept this.". All Rights Reserved. They're often identified by wearing blue bandanas, clothes and jewelry and the number 13. 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. WebArrests in Visalia triple homicide lead to criminal enterprise bust AboutPressCopyrightContact usCreatorsAdvertiseDevelopersTermsPrivacyPolicy & Detectives say the weapons and drugs were being shipped using the US Postal Service. A $9,000 reward is available through Valley Crime Stoppers. Police say all three suspects are known gang members. 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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. 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. VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- Authorities have announced the arrests of three men in connection with a triple homicide that occurred in May 2020 in Visalia. 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. 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. "I'm going to keep fighting. "I had him when I was 16," she said. WebBased on all information revealed during the investigation, detectives have identified suspects Mark Aceves (20), Cesar Lopez (19), and Abraham Molina (20) as being I don't know how to accept that he is gone.". Postal Inspection Service, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California to seize several postal packages containing18firearms. This investigation utilized law enforcement departments from the local, state and federal level and resulted But they believe there could be three suspects based on witness reports. 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. She and the other mothers have organized a justice walk to raise awareness. "No family should have to endure a loss like that.". This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Detectives continued to work leads and analyze data collected during the investigation. FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- "It's hard; I don't know how to accept it," says mother of 18-year-old Isaiah Rule. 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. It's still unclear how or if the suspects knew the victims before gunfire erupted. DOJ partnered with local law enforcement in Texas, the U.S. 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. "It's only a matter of time.". Postal Inspection Service, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California to seize several postal packages containing18firearms. WebOn May 5, 2020, officers responded to a shooting in the parking lot of Golden West High School in Visalia. 3 men arrested in connection to 2020 triple homicide in Visalia. The unit provides statewide enforcement for combating violent career criminals, gangs, and organized crime groups, along with intrastate drug traffickers. 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. The teenagers were found dead from gunshot wounds inside of a vehicle near the high school. All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. 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. The firearms were then sold to local gang members or smuggled into Mexico in exchange for morenarcotics. 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. DOJs Special Operations Unit is a collaborative investigative effort between DOJ and the California Highway Patrol. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 1979-2023 Valley Voice, all rights reserved. This investigation was a success because of multiagency collaboration at all levels of law enforcement. WebOn May 5, police found the three men shot and killed at Golden West High School in Visalia. 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. 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. During the investigation, law enforcement agents identified Sureo gang members as suspects in the murders. On Dec. 20, Gov. WebThree men were fatally shot in the parking lot of Golden West High School in Visalia Tuesday night. 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. Nikkole Rule-Balderrama says when she found out the police had made multiple arrests in her sons "Our deepest sympathies to the families who've been impacted by this terrible crime and who lost their loved ones that night," he said. VISALIA Just a few weeks after Your email address will not be published. Jose Carlos Hernandez Pena, 19, Isaiah Rule, 18, and Blake Madeiros, 19, were found dead in the During the investigation, law Gavin Newsom to receive the reward. After receiving several tips, investigators ask for the public's help to identify the owner or anyone associated with two vehicles. 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 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. Today at 4:31 PM. 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. We need to speak up for these boys.". 20-year Mark If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. Girls high school basketball team forfeits a game because it refused to play against a team with a transgender player, Fox Leaders Wanted to Break From Trump but Struggled to Make It Happen, Not Going to Read That: White House Press Secretary Brushes Off DeSantis Op-Ed, Sunshine returns to SoCal on Thursday but cold temps stick around, A $5 Billion Market Awaits this A.I. "We want to know what happened to our boys," said Williams. "I sit there waiting for him walking through the door," she said. 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. 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.. 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. The third was just a short distance away. Email: OnYourSide@cbsfresno.com. 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. 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. 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. She said, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed and Abraham Molina, 20, arrested. 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