On February 29, 2024, at approximately 1:30 a.m., 39-year-old Albert Dewey Meek III was fatally shot at Jack’s Gas Station located at 1440 North Dinuba Boulevard in Visalia, California. Surveillance footage revealed that Meek engaged in a verbal altercation with an individual in a parked silver car. The individual, later identified as a 17-year-old male, exited the vehicle, drew a firearm from his waistband, and shot Meek.
Emergency responders transported Meek to Kaweah Health Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The Visalia Police Department's Violent Crimes Unit promptly initiated an investigation. Through collaborative efforts with the Porterville Police Department, Tulare County Sheriff's Office, and Dinuba Police Department, detectives identified the suspect. Later that day, during a traffic stop on Main Street in Porterville, authorities arrested the 17-year-old suspect. He was subsequently charged in connection with Meek's death.
The owner of Jack’s Gas Station, known as Jack, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, noting that both the victim and the suspect were familiar customers. He described Meek as a good person who minded his own business and frequented the store, often arriving on his bicycle. Jack emphasized his efforts to maintain a safe environment at the gas station, including the installation of over 36 surveillance cameras and bright lighting to ensure customer safety.
Prior to this incident, Meek had a history of legal troubles. In January 2024, he was arrested in Tulare County for a felony parole violation. Earlier, in July 2022, he faced charges of voluntary manslaughter and assault with a firearm on a person.
Meek's death is part of a concerning pattern of gun violence in Visalia. On the same day, another shooting occurred just thirty minutes earlier, highlighting the challenges faced by local law enforcement in addressing violent crimes.
A viewing for Meek was held on April 4, 2024, at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel in Visalia. He was laid to rest at the Visalia Public Cemetery.
The arrest of the 17-year-old suspect underscores the collaborative efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies in swiftly apprehending individuals responsible for violent crimes. The community continues to grapple with the impact of Meek's death and the broader issue of gun violence in the area.
