Andrew Levi Hammond: The Fresno Trigger Killer
Overview
Over a span of two years, Andrew Levi Hammond, a man with a history of violent felonies, unleashed a series of deadly shootings in Fresno, California, that claimed the lives of three men. The killings were not random acts of violence but were rooted in personal disputes that, in Hammond's hands, escalated to murder. The victims, Fernando Gonzalez, Steven Rice, and Brandon Munoz, were all acquaintances of Hammond. His violent spree began in September 2020 and concluded with two murders in quick succession in the fall of 2022. The investigation into the final murder swiftly led police to Hammond, and through further investigation, they were able to connect him to the two earlier killings. Prosecutors argued that a common thread linked the three homicides: Hammond’s volatile temper and his tendency to respond with lethal force when he felt disrespected. Despite his claims of self-defense, a Fresno County jury convicted him of all three murders, resulting in a sentence that ensures he will spend the rest of his life in prison.
Early Life and Background
Andrew Levi Hammond was born on June 3, 1995, in Oakhurst, California, a community in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Details about his upbringing and family life remain largely private. As a young adult, he resided in Coarsegold, another small town near Oakhurst. Before the series of murders that would define his criminal legacy, Hammond had already built a significant criminal record. His prior convictions included serious felonies such as grand theft auto, felony evasion, and three separate counts of assault by means likely to cause great bodily injury. This history painted a picture of an individual with a propensity for violence and a disregard for the law, foreshadowing the deadly acts to come.
The Murder of Fernando Gonzalez
The first life claimed by Andrew Hammond was that of 41-year-old Fernando Gonzalez. On the evening of September 28, 2020, Gonzalez was attending a Rosary ceremony at a residence on East Washington Avenue in Fresno. The gathering was meant to be a solemn occasion, but it turned tragic. According to prosecutors, a drunken argument erupted between Hammond and Gonzalez. The nature of the dispute was not publicly detailed, but it escalated with shocking speed. Hammond, feeling disrespected, pulled out a handgun and shot Gonzalez. The single gunshot was fatal. First responders found Gonzalez at the scene, but he could not be saved. In the immediate aftermath, the case remained unsolved, and Hammond evaded justice for two years.
The Murder of Steven Rice
Hammond's violent tendencies resurfaced two years later. On October 21, 2022, he was at a residence in Fresno where he encountered 47-year-old Steven Rice. The two were acquaintances, and the violence that day was reportedly the culmination of a previous physical altercation involving their mutual acquaintances. An argument broke out between Hammond and Rice, and once again, Hammond resorted to gunfire. He shot Rice, who, despite his injuries, made a desperate attempt to escape. Rice managed to jump over a fence into a neighboring yard before collapsing. He succumbed to his wounds in that yard. The brazen nature of the killing in a residential area left the community shaken.
The Murder of Brandon Munoz
Less than two weeks after killing Steven Rice, Hammond murdered his final victim. On November 2, 2022, Hammond was with 39-year-old Brandon Munoz and a woman named Rebecca at a vacant house in Fresno. The group had gone there to use drugs. An argument ignited between Hammond and Munoz over a small, unpaid debt, believed to be as little as $20. For Hammond, this minor financial dispute was enough to provoke a fatal response. He shot Munoz, killing him inside the abandoned home. A witness, Rebecca, later identified Hammond as the shooter from a photo lineup.
The Victims
- Fernando Gonzalez, 41 — A father of four, Fernando was remembered by his family as a big-hearted and compassionate man. His life was cut short on September 28, 2020, during what should have been a peaceful Rosary ceremony. His loved ones were left to grapple with the sudden and violent loss of a man they cherished.
- Steven Jody Rice, 47 — Known to friends by the nickname "Dopey," Steven was described as a funny, goofy, and hardworking man. A carpenter and tile layer by trade, he was a graduate of Kerman High School. He was a man of few words but a good friend to many, and his death on October 21, 2022, left a void in the lives of his friends and family.
- Brandon Munoz, 39 — Known affectionately as "Spot" or "Spot Dogg," Brandon was a father to five children. He was remembered for his kind, happy, and optimistic personality. A hard worker who was always willing to go the extra mile for others, his life was tragically taken on November 2, 2022, over a trivial dispute.
Investigation and Capture
The murder of Brandon Munoz on November 2, 2022, proved to be the catalyst for Andrew Hammond's downfall. Fresno Police Department detectives, aided by eyewitness accounts, quickly identified Hammond as the prime suspect. Just six days later, on November 8, 2022, he was arrested and booked into the Fresno County Jail.
As detectives delved into Hammond's background and recent activities, they began to connect him to other unsolved homicides. The investigation into the murder of Steven Rice, which had occurred just weeks earlier, pointed toward Hammond. Furthermore, detectives revisited the cold case of Fernando Gonzalez's murder from 2020. The Fresno County District Attorney's Office stated that the case was "refiled after further investigation was conducted by the Fresno Police Department." Though the specific evidence that linked Hammond to the first two murders was not publicly detailed, it was strong enough for the District Attorney's office to move forward.
On January 6, 2023, the Fresno County District Attorney's Office formally charged Hammond with the murders of Steven Rice and Fernando Gonzalez, in addition to the murder of Brandon Munoz for which he was already in custody. The charges included special circumstances of multiple murders, making Hammond eligible for the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Trial and Sentence
Andrew Levi Hammond's trial for the three murders began on April 15, 2024, in Fresno County Superior Court, with Judge Jonathan B. Conklin presiding. The prosecution, led by Senior Deputy District Attorney Kelly Smith, presented a consolidated case, arguing that the three separate killings were all products of Hammond's explosive temper when he felt slighted. The prosecution methodically presented evidence for each murder, including crime scene photos, ballistics analysis, and eyewitness testimony. During the trial, a Fresno Police detective testified about the scene of the first murder, describing a drunken argument at a wake that turned deadly.
Hammond's defense attorney conceded that his client had pulled the trigger in all three instances but argued that each shooting was an act of self-defense. The defense sought to portray the victims as aggressors, suggesting that Hammond was in fear for his life on each occasion.
The jury, however, was not persuaded by the self-defense argument. On May 1, 2024, after deliberating, they found Andrew Hammond guilty on all counts: three counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances, and three enhancements for the personal use of a firearm.
On June 27, 2024, Judge Conklin handed down the sentence. For each count of murder, Hammond received a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Additionally, for the firearm enhancements, he was sentenced to 25 years to life for each count. The sentences were ordered to run consecutively, ensuring that Andrew Hammond will spend the remainder of his natural life behind bars.
Aftermath and Legacy
The conviction and sentencing of Andrew Levi Hammond brought a measure of closure to the families of his victims and the Fresno community. The series of murders, though separated by time, highlighted the devastating consequences of a single individual's uncontrolled rage and access to firearms. The case serves as a stark reminder of how quickly personal disputes can escalate to irreversible tragedy. The Fresno County District Attorney's Office and the Fresno Police Department were commended for their diligent investigative work that successfully linked the three cases and brought a serial killer to justice. Andrew Hammond is currently serving his sentence at Salinas Valley State Prison, his name now etched in the annals of Fresno's most notorious criminals.
