On March 25, 2023, Paul Valenzuela, a 40-year-old resident of Kerman, California, was fatally shot in an orchard near the intersection of West Jensen and South Yuba Avenues. The Fresno County Sheriff's Office received a call around 5:50 p.m. reporting a disturbance involving a small group of people on private property. Upon arrival, deputies found Valenzuela deceased from a gunshot wound.
Deputies detained three individuals at the scene for questioning. Homicide detectives and the Crime Scene Unit conducted a thorough investigation. As of the latest available information, no arrests have been made, and the case has been submitted to the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office for review to determine whether the shooting was justified. The investigation remains ongoing.
Paul Valenzuela, known as "Bambis," was born on October 20, 1982, in Fresno, California. He graduated from Kerman High School in 2000 and pursued higher education at Reedley College, Gavilan College, Fresno Pacific University, and Fresno State, focusing on criminology. Valenzuela was an avid baseball player and coach, contributing to teams at Tranquillity High School, Mendota High School, and Kerman High School. He was employed by the Pepsi Company and was a devoted father to his son, Paul Jacoby Valenzuela IV.
The Fresno County Sheriff's Office has urged anyone with additional information about the case to contact Detective Juan Galindo at (559) 600-8215 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
