Man Shot Near Fresno VA Hospital, One Suspect Arrested as Search Continues

A man was shot in the lower extremities outside the Fresno VA Hospital Thursday night, sending police streaming into the area near Fresno Street and prompting an extensive manhunt that ended with one suspect in custody and a second still at large.

Fresno Police Lt. Justin Hoagland said officers arrived at approximately 9:11 p.m. after the VA Hospital's own security team reported a gunshot victim near the facility's entrance. Officers found the man suffering from a wound to his lower extremities. He was transported to Community Regional Medical Center and is expected to survive.

Hoagland said investigators believe two men were involved. One is believed to have fired a single round; the second is considered a suspect based on his actions, though investigators have not confirmed whether he was armed. Both fled on foot across Fresno Street, and police say no vehicles were involved in the incident.

Investigators recovered one shell casing and established a large perimeter around the area. Following an extensive search, officers located and arrested one suspect. The second suspect had not been found as of late Thursday night, and Hoagland said descriptions of the suspects have not been released while the investigation remains active.

The scene itself presents a detail investigators are still working through: they believe the shooting may have occurred on the west side of Fresno Street, while the victim was found on the east side, directly in front of the VA hospital. Officials said the individuals involved were on the street when the incident took place. Police confirmed the victim had no connection to the VA hospital and never entered the facility.

What prompted the confrontation remains unknown. As Fresno police put it, what led up to the shooting is unclear.