Alejo Lara Armenta, a 53-year-old resident of Fresno, California, tragically lost his life on April 21, 2018. The incident occurred around 8:30 PM when Armenta was outside his home near Cedar and Jensen Avenues. He was with his 4-year-old grandson when two gang members approached and opened fire, hitting Armenta multiple times in the upper body and head. The child was unharmed but witnessed the horrific event.
The suspects fled the scene in a vehicle immediately after the shooting.
The investigation revealed that the suspects, identified as 19-year-old Andrew Guillen and 23-year-old John Chavez, were known gang members. Earlier that evening, they had confronted Armenta's family members at a convenience store and followed them home. The gang members returned about an hour later, armed with handguns, and carried out the attack. Both Guillen and Chavez were arrested and charged with murder. While in custody, they were also involved in an altercation with another inmate.
Armenta was well-known in his community as a kind-hearted neighborhood mechanic who often fixed children's bikes for free. His death left a significant impact on his family and the local community, who remembered him as a loving father and grandfather. The case highlighted the ongoing issue of gang violence in Fresno and the devastating effects it can have on innocent families.
