Fresno Businesses Demand Action Amid Surge in Tower District Shootings
Local entrepreneurs express frustration and fear following multiple recent violent incidents, prompting increased police presence.
Businesses in Fresno's Tower District are calling for increased action from city leaders and law enforcement in response to a recent string of shootings that have disrupted the popular nightlife area. The escalating violence has left business owners disheartened and customers wary.
Last weekend, Tyrone Miles, 28, was fatally shot near Olive and Linden Avenues outside MIA Nightclub shortly after closing hours. Security footage captured an argument among a group of individuals before a gunshot was heard. This incident followed another homicide just 48 hours prior, where Muhammad Muhtaraam-Conley, 25, was killed during an altercation outside Bulldog Liquor on East Shaw Avenue.
These fatal shootings add to a growing list of violent incidents in the Tower District. Last month, a shooting in the area resulted in one man being hospitalized, and in May, Charles Muhammad, 27, was arrested in connection with a separate shooting.
Lewis Everek, owner of Everek Hospitality Group, expressed his dismay to ABC 30, stating, "To see it at your front door, in a place that’s beloved by the community to see this type of violence happen, it’s very disheartening and discouraging to the city as well as the tower district."
Miguel Arias, a Fresno City Councilmember representing a portion of the Tower District, has indicated that law enforcement will continue to target criminal activity. He announced that an increased police presence will be visible in the area, particularly during busy weekend hours, with as many as 20 to 40 officers on patrol at any given time. "If you misbehave and you’re responsible for fights, for a shooting, or any type of activity, whether it’s in Tower District or Downtown Fresno, you will be arrested, you will be prosecuted, you will be spending some time in jail," Arias stated.
As of Saturday morning, Fresno police had not reported any arrests in connection with the shooting death of Tyrone Miles. Detectives are actively seeking witnesses and any cellphone video footage from the time of the incident.
In the shooting death of Muhammad Muhtaraam-Conley, police identified Malik Upshaw, 26, and Sakilian Drum, 20, as suspects. Drum has surrendered to authorities, but Upshaw remains at large.