SHOTS FIRED IN THE COALINGA SHOPPING CENTER

Coalinga Police Department Press Release

On Thursday December 3rd approximately 6:30 PM a Coalinga Police officer was in the parking lot of the Coalinga Shopping Center (near Big 5) when he heard gunshots in the area. The officer observed two male subjects shooting at one another. One of subjects fled on foot west bound on Polk Street while the other fled in a vehicle.

The officer attempted to stop the fleeing vehicle in the parking lot at which time the subject vehicle went around the officer’s vehicle and entered on to Elm Avenue. Additional units responded and located the vehicle at the intersection of Elm and Polk at which time they conducted a felony traffic stop. The subject inside the vehicle was detained and was found to have suffered a single gunshot wound to his groin area. Officers searched the subject’s vehicle and found a 9mm handgun which they believe was used in the shooting.

Coalinga Fire Department was called to the scene to attend to the wounded man and transport the subject to CRMC in Fresno where he is being treated and will be taken into custody upon release. While officers were at CRMC waiting for the first subject to receive treatment the second subject involved in this shooting walked into the emergency room at CRMC seeking care for a gunshot wound to his upper torso. The subject was immediately taken in for x-rays and is currently in surgery.

Officers interviewed several witnesses, recovered bullet fragments, shell casings, and video surveillance of the shooting. Anyone who has information regarding this incident please contact the Coalinga Police Department at (559) 935-1525, you may remain anonymous.