Man suspected of shooting at home

An 18-year-old Porterville man believed to have fired a shotgun at a home on South Doree Street has been arrested, the Porterville Police Department reports.

Isaac Garcia was booked into the custody of the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department on suspicion of shooting at an inhabited dwelling, conspiracy to commit a felony, possession of a sawed-off shotgun, assault with a deadly weapon and for being an active participant in a criminal street gang.  

According to reports, the incident occurred at about 10 p.m. Sunday night.

Police officers were conducting a follow-up investigation in the sub-100 block of North Leggett Street when gunshots rang out nearby. When they responded to investigate, they found an occupied home in the sub-100 block of South Doree Street had been struck by gunfire. When officers arrived to the home, several subjects were reportedly seen fleeing the area on foot. Nobody inside the home was injured.

During a neighborhood canvass, officers located one of the suspects, identified as Garcia, hiding in the backyard of a residence.

Officers also found a sawed-off shotgun in a neighboring backyard, police report.

Two additional male juveniles, both 15 years old and known associates of Garcia, were located in the area.

Detectives were summoned to the scene and through evidence gathered, the two juveniles were linked to the crime, police report.

All three suspects were arrested and identified as active northern gang members.

During the course of the investigation, detectives discovered that a passing motorist had been struck by gunfire and sustained minor injuries, which did not require medical attention.

The two juveniles were booked into Juvenile Hall and each is being held on the same charges as Garcia.

Anyone with information regarding this case, is urged to contact Detective Stephanie McElroy or Sgt. Josh Maniss at 782-7400.