16-year-old boy arrested for fatal drive-by shooting in Hanford

HANFORD, Calif. (KFSN) — Justice for 23-year-old Cruz David Avalos is one step closer as the suspected 16-year-old shooter is now behind bars.

Hanford police and the Kings County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest at a news conference Thursday.

“Through ongoing investigations [investigators] “We were able to identify the suspect as a 16-year-old male who resides in Hanford,” Hanford Police Chief Stephanie Huddleston said.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Man dies after being shot while driving in Hanford, police say

Chief Huddleston says the boy was arrested by sheriff's deputies after a shooting at 1 a.m. Thursday.

“Sheriff's Office patrol deputies responded to the area of ​​Jeff Road and Thomas Court in reference to a gunshot victim at the Santa Rosa Rancheria in Lemoore, which is in our incorporated area of ​​the county,” said Kings County Sheriff David Robinson .

When officers arrived, they found a 19-year-old shooting victim who was quickly transported to the hospital. Sheriff Robinson says the victim is awaiting surgery but is expected to be fine.

According to investigators, the 16-year-old Hanford suspect, the injured shooting victim and a young girl were in a car when they were asked about their gang affiliation by an unknown adult male.

“Our suspect in our shooting is described as male, possibly Hispanic or Native American, approximately 5'9″ to 6'2″ tall, 190 to 230 pounds, long black hair, armed with a handgun,” said Sheriff Robinson.

Shortly after shots were fired, witnesses saw the Hanford suspect and the young girl fleeing the scene.

Officers were then able to locate them both running in the parking lot of the Tachi Palace Casino Resort.

“Officers stopped both individuals and were quickly able to identify the 16-year-old male as the person Hanford police identified in her murder,” Sheriff Robinson said. “The man initially did not follow orders and repeatedly walked away from the deputy with his hands hidden in his waistband. He later complied, raised his hands in the air and was taken into custody.”

Investigators said they found a loaded 9-millimeter handgun that was later linked to the gun used in the Hanford shooting.

Avalos was shot in Hanford on 10th Avenue near Lacey Boulevard at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Surveillance camera video was captured as Avalos' car came to a stop and the suspect's black Nissan sped away after the shooting. Avalos was taken to the hospital and died less than an hour later.

The Hanford Police Department says it has not established a connection between Avalos and the 16-year-old boy. The suspect is known to law enforcement and investigators are currently in possession of the suspect's car.

The shooting in Hanford marks the third homicide in the city this year.

Kings County District Attorney Sarah Hacker says it's still unclear when she will file charges and whether she will be able to try the Hanford suspect as an adult.

If you know anything about any of these cases, you are asked to contact law enforcement.

Stay with ABC30 for the latest details on this developing story.