The Visalia Police Department is investigating whether the City's first homicide is gang related. The murder comes after a string of gang-related shootings in Visalia. The victim's family says they're not sure what led to the shooting.
23-year-old Michael Juarez was shot and killed in his Visalia home Thursday night. "The life that was taken is a very young life," said Tammy Garcia, a family friend.
Police are still investigating the shooting, no arrests have been made. "The victim was shot in the chest and right now our investigators are looking into whether or not it's gang related," said Colleen Mestas, Visalia Police Chief.
"Most of the time it is gang related, I mean, that's pretty much what everything is around here on the North side," said Robert Marquez, a neighbor.
Juarez was shot in his house on the 2700 block of N. Giddings. Police say there are no signs of a break in. The victim was found by family members who got home just after 8:30 Thursday night.
"The family has a lot of questions, there's a lot of folks to be interviewed and we're working on all those interviews today," said Chief Mestas.
Those who are grieving Juarez's death, hope the murder won't lead to more violence. "Gang violence is not an answer. There's more out there than gang violence and coming by and shooting one another," said Garcia.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Visalia Police.
