"Somebody knows something; it takes one person to give the right lead," Rule said. 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.. Thank you to the law enforcement officers who risked their safety to investigate and arrest these dangerous suspects. CSLEA President Alan Barcelona. WebDuring 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. 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. "I'm going to keep fighting. All Rights Reserved. VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- One suspect has made his first court appearance in connection to a Visalia triple homicide. I don't know how to accept that he is gone.". 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. RELATED: 3 dead after shooting in parking lot at Golden West High School in Visalia. Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. 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.. 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. All Rights Reserved. Detectives learned that local Sureo gang members and associates were importing guns from Texas and were paying for the weapons with methamphetamine and cocaine from drug trafficking organizations in Mexico. 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. DOJs Special Operations Unit is a collaborative investigative effort between DOJ and the California Highway Patrol. The victims were later identified as 19-year-old Jose Hernandez-Pena, 19-year-old Blake Medeiros, and 18-year-old Isaiah Rule. One of the vehicles is a darker-colored truck, and the other is a light-colored car. Abraham Molina, 20, entered a not guilty plea on Tuesday. In December of 2021, the Governor approved the reward. 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. Breakthrough, Wake-Up Weather: AM showers then mild and breezy, Government must build a better process for infrastructure projects | Opinion. They're often identified by wearing blue bandanas, clothes and jewelry and the number 13. 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. 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. Sometimes arrests are swift. They were shot to death in May of 2020 in the parking lot at Golden West High School. Phone: 559-761-0383 If you have any questions please contact: Bilingual Services Program at (916) 210-7580. 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. Those individuals with information are asked to contact the Visalia Police Departments Violent Crimes Unit at (559) 713-4234. In May 2020, investigators say they responded to reports of shots being fired in the high school parking lot. 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. "Whatever happens in the dark comes to light," Williams said. WebThe 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. Two of the victims 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. 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. Mark Aceves,20;Cesar Lopez, 19;and Abraham Molina, 20, were arrested and charged inthe May 2020 triple homicide. Detectives have also met with the victims family members on a regular basis to keep them updated on the progress of this case. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 1979-2023 Valley Voice, all rights reserved. Detectives continued to work leads and analyze data collected during the investigation. 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. They interviewed numerous witnesses, collected evidence, and authored search warrants in an attempt to piece together what happened that May night. Ashley Williams is Blake's mother. 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 victims in this case were identified as Jose Hernandez-Pena (19), Isaiah Rule (18), and Blake Medeiros (19). On Thursday, Visalia Police Chief Jason Salazar stood at a podium placed inside a spaciousexhibit hall at the Visalia Convention Center. FOX26. The team also seized approximately20pounds of cocaine from suspects involved in the trafficking. She and the other mothers have organized a justice walk to raise awareness. This Google translation feature is provided for informational purposes only. Your email address will not be published. Abraham Molina, 20, entered a not guilty plea on Tuesday. In October, detectivesapplied for a $50,000 reward through the State of California Governors Office to help solve the case. Jose Carlos Hernandez Pena, 19, Isaiah Rule, 18, and Blake Madeiros, 19, were found dead in the Once officers arrived, they located a solo vehicle in the parking lot. To learn more about the Voice, click here. The unit provides statewide enforcement for combating violent career criminals, gangs, and organized crime groups, along with intrastate drug traffickers. 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. Anyone with information on the shooting or the two vehicles is asked to call the Visalia Police Department. 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. 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. 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. The firearms were then sold to local gang members or smuggled into Mexico in exchange for morenarcotics. Isaiah Rule, along with 19-year-old Blake Mederios and 19-year-old Jose Pena, were gunned down in the She says not having any answers is the hardest part. RELATED: 3 dead after shooting in parking lot at Golden West High School in Visalia. At the same time, a photo of possiblevehicle used in the slayingwere released to the public in hopes of identifying the suspects. 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. 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. 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. Two of the victims were found in a car. Blake's mom, Ashley Williams, said she lost a piece of herself when her son's life was taken. The investigation also uncovered a drug and firearm trafficking ring run by members and associates of the Sureos. 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. Aceves and Lopez will be arraigned on January 25. "I sit there waiting for him walking through the door," she said. WebThe investigation into a triple homicide in Visalia in May has led to the seizure of drugs, guns, money, and more. 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. All Rights Reserved. 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. The teenagers were found dead from gunshot wounds inside of a vehicle near the high school. 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. 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. WebPolice say Molina was the one to fire the gun that killed the three teens. WebVisalia police turns to community for help with info after triple homicide. Isaiah Rule, along with 19-year-old Blake Mederios and 19-year-old Jose Pena, were gunned down in the parking lot of Golden West High School back in May. 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. 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. "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. A $9,000 reward is available through Valley Crime Stoppers. We need to speak up for these boys.". Some people are upset at the way iPhones charge. The United States Attorneys Office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to take on these criminal organizations.. 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