On April 15, 2023, 16-year-old Sunnyside High School student Nolyn Mycah Chann was fatally shot near the intersection of Valentine and Princeton Avenues in Fresno, California. The incident occurred around 2:20 p.m., in proximity to the Fresno Cambodian Buddhist Temple, which was hosting a New Year festival attended by hundreds. Deputies responding to reports of gunfire found Chann on the ground with gunshot wounds; he was transported to a hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigations by the Fresno County Sheriff's Office revealed that the shooting was gang-related. Chann and several others, identified as members of an Asian gang, reportedly attacked 20-year-old rival gang member Tyvanh Sysaknoi. In retaliation, Sysaknoi fired at the group, striking Chann. Authorities emphasized that this was an isolated incident and not a random act of violence.
On May 16, 2023, detectives arrested Sysaknoi in connection with Chann's death. He was booked into the Fresno County Jail on a charge of voluntary manslaughter, with bail set at $95,000. The arrest followed a series of interviews and evidence collection by the Sheriff's Office, which continues to investigate the case.
In the wake of Chann's death, his family created a GoFundMe page to raise funds for his funeral expenses. The page reflects the family's grief and the community's support during this difficult time.
The tragic incident has underscored ongoing concerns about gang-related violence in Fresno, prompting law enforcement to work closely with the community to prevent further such occurrences. Authorities have urged anyone with additional information about the case to come forward to aid in the investigation.
