On April 8, 2024, at approximately 4:20 p.m., Fresno police responded to a ShotSpotter activation on Ninth Street near Pine Avenue in central Fresno. Upon arrival, officers discovered 42-year-old Yong Vang suffering from a gunshot wound beside a pickup truck. Vang was immediately transported to Community Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Investigators determined that Vang had been involved in a physical altercation with 41-year-old Robert Phompong prior to the shooting. Phompong, identified as a known gang member and part of the unhoused community, became the primary suspect in the homicide. A warrant was issued for his arrest, and authorities cautioned that he was considered armed and dangerous.
After an extensive search lasting several months, Phompong was apprehended on July 3, 2024, during a search warrant operation targeting narcotics and illegal gambling activities near Olive Avenue and Millbrook in Fresno. Upon attempting to flee on foot, he was swiftly captured by law enforcement officers. Phompong was subsequently booked into the Fresno County Jail on charges related to Vang's murder.
The arrest brought a measure of closure to the investigation into Vang's death. Authorities continue to encourage anyone with additional information regarding the case to contact the Fresno Police Department, underscoring the community's role in ensuring justice and public safety.
