A birthday celebration in Fresno, California, turned violent on August 9 when gunfire erupted, resulting in one man being shot in the ankle. The alleged shooter, identified as 43-year-old Troy Franklin, was later arrested by the Fresno Police Department following a pursuit that ended in a crash.
According to the Fresno Police Department, officers responded to reports of multiple shots fired near Olive Avenue and Lucerne Avenue. The victim told authorities that he was celebrating his birthday with a group of people when a black Chevrolet sedan pulled away from the curb. The sole occupant of the vehicle, Franklin, reportedly confronted the birthday celebrant before firing a weapon.
One bullet struck the victim in the left ankle. He then drove to another location to call for assistance and was transported to Community Regional Medical Center, where he was listed in stable condition. During the incident, another individual at the party allegedly returned fire at Franklin in an apparent act of self-defense.
Detectives utilized automated license plate readers to identify Franklin, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Four days later, on Thursday morning, members of the department’s Street Violence Bureau Tactical Team located Franklin near First Avenue and Nees Avenue as he was leaving a business and entering a vehicle. When undercover officers attempted to arrest him, Franklin allegedly rammed an undercover police vehicle and fled.
Authorities pursued Franklin, with the Fresno police’s Air1 helicopter providing aerial surveillance. The chase continued toward Barstow Avenue and Millbrook Avenue before Franklin’s vehicle crashed into a parked car. Despite the crash, Franklin reportedly exited the vehicle and fled on foot, but was quickly apprehended with the assistance of Air1, tactical officers, the Career Criminal Auto Theft Team, K-9 officers, and Northeast Patrol officers.
Franklin is expected to be booked into the Fresno County Jail on charges related to the shooting and felony assault on a peace officer.