Two Arrested After Park Shooting, Vehicle Pursuit and Crash in Clovis

Two people were arrested Thursday after multiple 911 calls reported gunfire in the parking lot of the public park at Shepherd and Sunnyside, and a vehicle pursuit that ended in a crash near Willow and Nees. The quick resolution and recovery of firearms prevented further harm, but the incident highlights concerns about public safety in busy Fresno County neighborhoods.

“Officers were called at noon to the area of Shepherd and Sunnyside avenues for a disturbance involving a gun,” said Ty Wood, a Clovis police spokesperson. Just after 12:00 p.m., Clovis officers were dispatched, the department launched its Drone First Responder unit, and detectives moved to the scene. “Within moments, officers were dispatched, our Drone First Responder (DFR) launched, and detectives responded,” the city post stated, crediting a Real-Time Analyst and the city camera network for locating the suspect vehicle.

Police say the Real-Time Analyst tracked the vehicle at Shepherd and Clovis on the camera system and updated officers as it moved. An officer saw the vehicle at Clovis and Nees and attempted a traffic stop; the driver failed to yield and a pursuit followed. The chase ended when the suspect driver made a left turn and collided with an uninvolved vehicle at Willow and Nees. “The pursuit ended at Willow and Nees when the driver made a left turn and collided with an uninvolved vehicle. Officers blocked in the suspect vehicle and detained two males without further incident,” the city post said.

Investigators searched the suspect vehicle and recovered two loaded handguns. One was reported stolen and the other had no serial number. No one in the park was struck by gunfire, although an adult occupant of the uninvolved vehicle complained of pain and was treated by EMS at the scene. Detectives processed evidence at both the park and crash locations and continue their investigation.

Authorities identified the driver as 19-year-old Joshua Pleasant of Fresno; he was booked into Fresno County Jail on several felonies including assault with a firearm, evading, and charges related to the handgun. The second person in the car, a 17-year-old, was booked into Fresno County’s Juvenile Justice Center on charges related to carrying a concealed loaded firearm. “Using video surveillance from our city camera network, DFR drone footage in real-time streamed to officers, and intelligence located by our Real-Time Analyst, this case was solved in less than an hour,” the Clovis post said.

For residents, the incident underscores the trade-offs involved in using surveillance technology and rapid-response drones to speed arrests and limit harm. The southbound lanes at Nees south of Willow were closed briefly while officers processed the crash scene, a reminder that such disruptions can ripple through commutes and local commerce. Detectives have not released full ballistics or evidence details; court proceedings and additional charges may follow as the investigation continues.

What comes next for neighbors is continued police processing and potential public records about the weapons and evidence chain, plus court dates for the arrested individuals. Residents concerned about park safety and youth involvement in firearms are likely to watch how prosecutors handle the case and whether local strategies for prevention and community policing change in response.