On May 5, 2020, officers were 20-year Mark Those seizures resulted in 18 firearms and 20 pounds of cocaine being intercepted by law enforcement. "And that they can begin to heal knowing that those who are responsible for this crime are in custody where they belong.". Candles and heartfelt messages surround a photo of Isaiah. Operation Trailblazer focused on the enhanced surveillance and investigation of individuals believed to be directly involved with the triple homicide and who were members of the Sureo criminal street gang in the cities of Visalia and Ivanhoe. Postal Inspection Service, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California to seize several postal packages containing18firearms. Contact CBS47 and let us be On Your Side. Thank you to all of the officers and agents who worked together to solve these murders and get those involved off our streets., I am grateful that this investigation has led to the arrests of suspects involved in the May 2020 triple homicide of Jose Hernandez-Pena, Isaiah Rule, and Blake Medeiros and that this will begin to bring healing and justice to their families, said Visalia Police Chief Jason Salazar. "No family should have to endure a loss like that.". During the January 13th search and arrest operation,27Sureos members and associates were arrested, including three who are suspected to be directly involved in the triple homicide. A copy of this disclaimer can also be found on our Disclaimer page. Heannounced the details of Operation Trailblazer and the subsequent arrests of the men accused of killing JoseHernandez-Pea, 19;Isaiah Rule, 18;andBlake Medeiros, 19. Detectives learned that local Sureo gang members and associates were importing guns from Texas and were paying for the weapons with methamphetamine and cocaine obtained from drug trafficking organizations in Mexico. Police say all three suspects are known gang members. Visalia Police Chief Jason Salazar and other authorities announced Thursday, January 13, 2022 the arrest of dozens of members of the Sureo criminal January 19, 2022, 9:38 AM. My family is going to keep fighting. These unique and essential teams use the latest technology and advanced investigative techniques and work alongside local law enforcement to enhance investigations into violent criminals and organized crime throughout the state. WebVisalia Police are looking for two vehicles they believe are associated with the killing of three teens in the Golden West parking lost last year. Gavin Newsom. All three of the suspects are Sureo street gang members or associates. On May 5, 2020, officers responded to a shooting in the parking lot of Golden West High School in Visalia. "They don't have a voice anymore. WebPrevious coverage: 3 arrests made in Visalia triple homicide Police found Jose Hernandez-Pea, 19; Isaiah Rule, 18; and Blake Medeiros, 19, dead with gunshot I don't know how to accept that he is gone.". Gavin Newsom authorized a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the unsolved homicide case dating back to May 5, 2020. WebOn May 5, police found the three men shot and killed at Golden West High School in Visalia. During the investigation, law The unit provides statewide enforcement for combating violent career criminals, gangs, and organized crime groups, along with intrastate drug traffickers. WebThree Gang Members Suspected in Triple Homicide in Visalia Arrested. They're often identified by wearing blue bandanas, clothes and jewelry and the number 13. Sometimes arrests are swift. She and the other mothers have organized a justice walk to raise awareness. The shooting occurred on May 5, 2020, at Golden West High School in Visalia where Jose Hernandez-Pea, 19, Isaiah Rule, 18, and Blake Medeiros, 19 were killed. Once officers arrived, they located a solo vehicle in the parking lot. Visalia Police Department Violent Crimes Detectives, Special Enforcement Unit Officers, and Crime Scene Investigators were called out to assist in the investigation. An investigation that began with the tragic murder of three young people in Visalia led to law enforcement uncovering a drug and firearms conspiracy that reached from California to Texas and Mexico,said Attorney General Rob Bonta. After receiving several tips, investigators ask for the public's help to identify the owner or anyone associated with two vehicles. FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- "It's hard; I don't know how to accept it," says mother of 18-year-old Isaiah Rule. Jose Carlos Hernandez Pena, 19, Isaiah Rule, 18, and Blake Madeiros, 19, were found dead in the Investigators from several agencies, including the Visalia Police Department, Tulare County Sheriff's Office, the Tulare County District Attorney's Office, the Attorney General's Office and the FBI arrested 20-year-old Mark Aceves, 19-year-old Cesar Lopez, and 20-year-old Abraham Molina Thursday morning. FOX26. I am also very proud of the hard work and dedication of the Visalia Police detectives who have worked so diligently on this case and to all of our law enforcement partners on this investigation for their contributions and resources to help bring justice to these families and to our community., Todays announcement is the result of a collaborative effort between local, state, and federal agencies targeting a violent gangs supply chain of methamphetamine, said U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert. Jose Pena, Black Medeiros and Isaiah Rule shot to death in the parking lot of Golden West High School. 3 men arrested in connection to 2020 triple homicide in Visalia. "While we cannot take away the grief and loss the Visalia community has felt as a result of these horrific and senseless murders, we can bring to account the people who committed these crimes.". "Information they may not think is relevant, if they can still please reach out to the Visalia PD and report any info they have.". Visalia Police Department applies for $50,000 from the state as a reward to find those responsible for gunning down three teenagers in the Golden West parking lot in May 2020. WebVisalia Police Department | 303 S. Johnson St., Visalia, CA 93291 | www.visalia.city ssg January 13, 2022 VISALIA TRIPLE HOMICIDE UPDATE & OPERATION TRAILBLAZER PRESS RELEASE On May 5th, 2020, at 11:15 p.m. officers were dispatched to the parking lot of Golden West High School in response to a report of shots fired. They interviewed numerous witnesses, collected evidence, and authored search warrants in an attempt to piece together what happened that May night. The weapons and narcotics were being shipped through the U.S. Salazar also gave details surrounding Operation Trailblazer a multi-agency investigation into a drug and weapons trafficking ring. Surveillance video from the school showed a suspect vehicle driving up to the He was surrounded by local, stateand federal law enforcement. "I don't know how to go on without him. The governors reward of $50,000 is still available to material witnesses who can provide investigators and prosecutors with direct knowledge of the triple homicide. Web-VISALIA TRIPLE HOMICIDE UPDATE & OPERATION TRAILBLAZER PRESS RELEASE-On May 5th, 2020, at 11:15 p.m. officers were dispatched to the parking lot of Golden West High School in response to a report of shots fired. I am grateful that this investigation has led to the arrests of suspects involved in the May 2020 triple homicide of Jose Hernandez-Pea, Isaiah Rule, and Blake Medeiros and that this will begin to bring healing and justice to their families. Visalia Police Chief Jason Salazar said. Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. In October, detectivesapplied for a $50,000 reward through the State of California Governors Office to help solve the case. After receiving The weapons and drugs were being shipped through the U.S. "As a mother they are a part of you so you don't just physically feel like you're dying, it is mentally, it is spiritually, it is everything," she said. Over the course of the investigation, including todays operation,37arrests were made, at leastfiveviolent crimes were prevented, and a total of56firearms were seized from Sureo gang members and associates. WebLate Tuesday night, police officers in Visalia, a San Joaquin Valley city about 40 miles southeast of Fresno, responded to a report of shots fired at a high school. Balderama and Williams said they still don't know what happened the night of the shooting. Two of the victims After a four-month investigation, participating law enforcement agencies say they prevented at least fiveviolent crimes and seized 56 firearms from Sureo gang members. In July 2021, the Visalia Police Department requested assistance from the California Department of Justices (DOJ) Special Operations Unit (SOU) with its investigation into the triple homicide. VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- Visalia police are one step closer to solving the murders of three men who were shot to death outside Golden West High School last year. While the triple homicide investigation has culminated in the arrests of the three primary suspects, the Visalia Police Department would like to remind the public that the Governors Reward of $50,000 is still available to material witnesses that can provide investigators and prosecutors with direct knowledge of the triple homicide. This investigation utilized law enforcement departments from the local, state and federal level and resulted The Visalia Police Department investigation into an unsolved triple homicide was given a boost by Gov. Today at 4:31 PM. Your email address will not be published. "Just lead us, lead detectives to get justice," Rule said. On Thursday, 300 officers from multiple law enforcement agenciesserved 27 state search warrants, 18 state arrest warrants, five federal search warrantsand four federal arrest warrants. A press release from the Visalia Police Department. This investigation was a success because of multiagency collaboration at all levels of law enforcement. Throughout 2020 and 2021,detectives forged ahead in theirinvestigation. Twenty-seven Sureo gang members were arrested, including the three Visalia homicide suspects. All three suspects are known gang members in the Cities of Visalia and Ivanhoe. "It is not going to fix it, but it will still give us some answers that we are looking for.". Now, nearly three months since the homicide, Visalia police are turning to the community for help with information. Your email address will not be published. All Rights Reserved. Some people are upset at the way iPhones charge. During the investigation, law enforcement agents identified Sureo gang members as suspects in the murders. On May 5th 2020, Isaiah was gunned down in the Golden West High School parking lot along with his two friends, Blake Medeiros and Jose Hernandez. Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. No arrests were made at the time of the shooting or in the months that followed. DOJs Special Operations Unit is a collaborative investigative effort between DOJ and the California Highway Patrol. 2023 www.visaliatimesdelta.com. TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) In a joint press conference Thursday, state and local officials announced the arrest of suspects said to be involved in the 2020 deaths of three teens in Visalia. In July 2021, the Visalia Police Department requested assistance from the California Department of Justices (DOJ) Special Operations Unit (SOU) with its investigation into the triple homicide. WebArrests in Visalia triple homicide lead to criminal enterprise bust AboutPressCopyrightContact usCreatorsAdvertiseDevelopersTermsPrivacyPolicy & The investigation also uncovered a drug and firearm trafficking ring run by members and associates of the Sureos. Aceves and Lopez will be arraigned on January 25. While the primary focus of this operation was to bring the suspects responsible for the homicides to justice, the investigation also identified a criminal enterprise operating across state lines and into the country of Mexico. According to detectives, the investigation into the shooting led to the discovery of a criminal enterprise operating across state lines and into the country of Mexico. Investigators say they learned that area gang members and associates were bringing guns from Texas and paying for the weapons with drugs including meth and cocaine obtained from Mexican traffickers. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. One year after three men were gunned down in a parking lot at Golden West High School in Visalia, police are still searching for the suspects. They found two men dead in a vehicle and another nearby in the "I had him when I was 16," she said. 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