On November 1, 2024, 33-year-old Tyler James Hamon was fatally shot at the Windscape Apartments in northwest Fresno, California. Responding to reports of gunfire shortly after midnight, Fresno police officers discovered bullet holes in the front door and shell casings on the upstairs landing. Inside a back bedroom, they found Hamon unresponsive, having suffered a gunshot wound to his upper back. Despite immediate medical attention, he was pronounced dead at Kaiser Hospital.
The investigation led detectives to identify 34-year-old Gerrick Franklin, Hamon's cousin, as the primary suspect. Franklin, known to law enforcement for his gang affiliations and a criminal history that includes narcotics sales and prior robbery arrests, was apprehended in Madera County on November 3, 2024. He was subsequently booked into the Fresno County Jail on charges of murder.
Authorities believe the shooting was not a random act but stemmed from a personal dispute between Hamon and Franklin. Hamon had recently moved to the apartment complex and had prior arrests in Tulare County for domestic violence and weapons charges. The incident marked Fresno's 27th homicide of the year, reflecting a slight increase compared to the same period in 2023.
In the wake of Hamon's death, his family and friends mourned his passing. A visitation was held on November 25, 2024, at the Jesse E. Cooley Jr. Funeral Home, followed by a funeral service on November 26 at Living Christ Church in Tulare. Hamon's obituary reflects on his legacy and the impact he had on the lives of his loved ones.
The Fresno Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting. They urge anyone with additional information to contact Valley Crime Stoppers or the department's homicide detectives, emphasizing that callers can remain anonymous.
