On the evening of April 16, 2024, at about 9:20 p.m., Coalinga officers found 16-year-old Julian Andrade inside his home on the 200 block of East Houston Street after reports of gunfire. He was taken to Coalinga Regional Medical Center and was pronounced dead. Family members say Julian was in his bedroom playing video games with his 18-year-old brother when an assailant approached the house and fired multiple rounds into the residence; one round fatally struck Julian while his brother was unharmed but could not save him.

Investigators from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and Coalinga Police developed two suspects, both from Coalinga: 18-year-old Nicholas Banales and 20-year-old Damian Aguilera. Detectives say Banales approached the home and fired multiple shots, and both men are known gang members, though Julian had no gang ties. The exact motive remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detectives Jesse Gloria or Aurelio Flores, or Valley Crime Stoppers with an anonymous tip.