Shots fired near River Park; 18-year-old struck by patrol car, arrested

Fresno police struck and arrested 18-year-old George Ruiz after gunfire erupted in the River Park shopping center parking lot near Ruth's Chris Steak House and Macy's, officers said. Ruiz was taken to Community Regional Medical Center for treatment after the patrol car made low-speed contact during a foot pursuit, and he was booked after his release, police and local stations reported.

Local broadcasters KMPH, ABC30/KFSN and FOX26 all placed the incident on Wednesday night, with ABC30 reporting the shooting occurred around 7:30 p.m. and KMPH reporting about 8:00 p.m.; an earlier brief that listed Saturday evening appears inconsistent with those accounts. Fresno police said multiple shots struck a vehicle as it drove toward Blackstone Avenue; that driver returned shortly after the shooting and spoke with officers, and no bystanders were reported injured.

Officers first heard shots in the parking area outside Ruth's Chris and Macy's and saw a man running toward the Sam's Club entrance, KMPH reported. Chief Mindy Casto described the moment an officer began the pursuit: “An officer observed a subject running from the location across Blackstone and took off on foot chasing the suspect. He could tell the subject was armed.” ABC30 reported the officer was a 20-year veteran and that the patrol car was traveling less than 20 MPH when it struck the suspect outside Sam's Club.

ABC30 and KMPH said Ruiz was holding his waistband during the chase and that officers recovered a firearm at the scene. ABC30 also reported Action News learned Ruiz has no previous criminal history. Stations and Fresno PD social posts include video of the arrest; the department says it released footage on its social media channels while investigators continue their work.

Fresno Police Department investigators are treating the incident as both a shooting investigation and a use-of-force review, Chief Casto said: “We take use of force very seriously. Our policy is to take action when a vehicle used as forced like that. It triggers a response like this, a full investigation, so that's what we're doing out here.” Detectives are also searching for additional suspects and a possible SUV connected to the shooting, KMPH reported.

Witnesses at River Park described alarm and lingering concern. Devon's Jewelers manager Alex Williams said, “It's not shocking at all. This stuff happens around the area; you hear a lot about it. People who are constantly in this area talk about it all the time. You don't want to be here past a certain hour.” Shopper Julie Taylor Vogtman added, “Sad to hear that that could happen in an area that you think is safe, but maybe not so much. Maybe they need to have more security here to make you feel a little safer.”

Fresno police ask anyone with information to call the department tip line at (559) 621-7000 as detectives work to confirm the sequence of events, the number of rounds fired, and whether any suspects remain at large.