On November 21, 2023, at approximately 10:15 a.m., Sanger Police Department officers responded to reports of gunfire on the 800 block of Sequoia Avenue in Sanger, California. Upon arrival, they discovered 43-year-old Marcos Escutia lying on the sidewalk with apparent gunshot wounds. Officers administered life-saving measures before Sanger EMS transported him to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
In the course of their investigation, authorities located a gray SUV submerged in a shallow canal approximately two miles from the shooting scene, near Rainbow Route. Investigators suspect that the individual(s) responsible for Escutia's death may have abandoned the vehicle there, though they are still working to establish a definitive connection between the vehicle and the crime.
This incident marked Sanger's first homicide since February 2022. Sanger Police Chief Greg Garner noted that Escutia had a prior criminal history. Community members who knew Escutia expressed shock and sadness over his death, with one local business owner recalling her family's long-standing acquaintance with him.
As of now, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified. The Sanger Police Department, with assistance from the Fresno County Sheriff's Department, continues to investigate the case. Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Sanger Police Department at (559) 875-8521.
