On the night of June 21, 2016, 20-month-old African American male Rashad Halford Jr. was fatally shot while sitting outside with his parents and their friends at the Canyon Crest Apartments in Southeast Fresno, California. The toddler was struck multiple times in his lower body, including the abdomen, hip, and leg, and succumbed to his injuries at 3:45 a.m. the following morning. His father, Rashad Halford Sr., and another man, Willis Mucelroy, were also shot but survived.
Investigators determined that the bullets were intended for Rashad Halford Sr., known as "Ray Ray," due to an ongoing feud with 30-year-old Devin Ratliff, a known associate of West Fresno gang members. On the night of the shooting, Ratliff approached the group, made a comment to Halford Sr., and opened fire. Halford Sr. returned fire in self-defense, but forensic evidence later revealed that fragments from his gun were found in his son's body, indicating that he had inadvertently contributed to the fatal injuries.
Despite initial challenges in the investigation, including uncooperative witnesses and lack of video evidence, a new witness came forward in April 2018, leading to Ratliff's arrest in Southern California. He was charged with murder and attempted murder, facing a potential sentence of 114 years to life. However, during the trial, Ratliff accepted a plea deal, pleading no contest to voluntary manslaughter and two counts of attempted murder, resulting in a 40-year prison sentence. No charges were filed against Halford Sr.
