By DJ Becker/The Madera News June 7th, 2023
A dispute between two rival gang members resulted in a hail of bullets fired at about 3:15 Wednesday afternoon near children on the playground of Washington Elementary School. One 24-year-old man fled on foot and was shot multiple times as he ran from the gunfire. He was taken to Community Regional Medical Center and was released a day later.
The school was immediately put on lockdown and police have increased their presence at pending school graduations and other community events.
The suspect, a 17-year-old juvenile boy was found and taken into custody a short time later. He was charged with attempted murder with gun enhancements for firing a weapon near a school, according to Madera Police. No children or school staff were injured although stray bullets struck school buildings and parked cars in the area. Police resource officers and support staff immediately responded to the school. A parent in the area was visibly shaken and distressed and said hearing about gunshots near the elementary school was her worst nightmare.
The incident reportedly started in passing vehicles at the intersection of Austin Avenue and South Street, leaving residents and motorists ducking for cover and a three-block trail of shell casings and drops of blood as the victim fled north on Austin Avenue. Several parked cars were damaged by bullets or minor traffic collisions as motorists attempted to dodge the gunshots.
Witnesses reported hearing two separate rapid-fire bursts of very loud gunshots. Police say the handgun used was of a large caliber, likely a .40 caliber, and has not yet been found. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Madera Police at 675-4220.
