Fresno County seeks tips in cold case killing of Selma teen

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office renewed its push for tips in the killing of 15-year-old Desiree Austin, whose shooting death in Selma has remained unsolved nearly nine years later. Investigators said anyone with information should contact the Selma Police Department, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, or Crime Stoppers and reference Selma Police Department Case No. 17-3768.

Selma police responded to reports of gunfire on Aug. 31, 2017, in the 1400 block of Mill Street near Olive Street. Officers found Austin suffering from gunshot wounds and she was taken to a hospital, where she later died. The case has now been treated as a cold case as investigators again sought the public’s help in identifying the people and vehicle tied to the shooting.

Detectives believe a blue 2002 Buick Rendezvous with California license plate 7EDR747 was involved. Witnesses described the driver as a Hispanic woman with her hair in a messy bun, and investigators said they believe a man was also in the vehicle at the time of the shooting. Authorities also said the firearm used in the case may be linked to a separate shooting elsewhere in Fresno County, a detail that has expanded the scope of the inquiry beyond one city block in Selma.

The case was publicly resurfaced in April 2026, nearly nine years after the killing, as law enforcement again asked residents to come forward with information that could help identify suspects or connect the gun and vehicle to other crimes. Anonymous tips submitted through Crime Stoppers may be eligible for a cash reward if they lead to an arrest.

Austin’s mother, Lydia Magaña, said the years since the shooting have brought no resolution. “It's not going to bring her back, but it'll give me some kind of peace,” she said, speaking publicly about her daughter’s death and the long wait for answers. The renewed appeal underscores a simple reality in this case: investigators have a vehicle, a partial witness description and a possible link to another shooting, but they still need the public to fill in the missing pieces.