Rudy Aaron Molano Arrested in Fresno After Punching, Shooting at Two Victims

Rudy Aaron Molano, 29, was arrested Monday, March 2, 2026, in Fresno after the Fresno Police Department says he punched a person at a downtown business, followed two victims and fired approximately three to four rounds as their vehicles passed each other. Molano was taken into custody at a residence near Church and Holloway avenues and booked into the Fresno County Jail on multiple charges related to the shooting investigation.

The episode began Sunday when Central Policing District officers responded to a shots-fired report at First Street and Clinton Avenue, Fresno police said. Two victims told officers they had been at a business near North First Street and East Belmont Avenue when Molano exited the establishment, made eye contact with one of them and punched that victim, according to the department.

After the initial assault, police say Molano returned to his vehicle, displayed a handgun and drove away as the victim attempted to defend himself. Later the same day the victims noticed Molano’s vehicle following them near First and Tulare streets. In an effort to avoid the vehicle, the victims made a U-turn toward the freeway and the vehicles passed each other, Fresno police reported.

During that passing, Molano allegedly aimed a firearm at the victims and fired about three to four rounds, police said. The department’s account does not provide names, ages or medical conditions for the two victims, and it does not list whether any of the rounds struck the victims or surrounding property.

Felony Assault Unit detectives identified Molano as the suspect, obtained an arrest warrant and located him at the Church and Holloway residence the following day. During a search of the residence where he was arrested, detectives found ammunition described as consistent with that used in the shooting, according to the department. The booking was processed at the Fresno County Jail; police described the arrest as related to the shooting investigation but did not enumerate formal charges by statute.

Investigators have not released details on recovery of a firearm, ballistic test results, surveillance video or witness statements beyond the victims’ initial reports. No arraignment date, bail amount or information about Molano’s legal representation were provided in the department’s account. Detectives with the Felony Assault Unit continue to investigate the sequence of events and the evidence recovered during the arrest.