Police arrested a 21-year-old man Saturday after an alleged confrontation turned deadly.
Officers responded to the intersection of Orange and Letts avenues at 12:30 p.m. after receiving a report of shots fired and a subject down. Police found the victim, Jonathan Rivas, 24, down in the 1500 block of Apperson Court. He was unresponsive and did not survive injuries he suffered as the result of a gunshot wound.
Local officers, assisted by the Kings County Gang Task Force, contacted several witnesses who said there was an altercation between Rivas and Erik Patino, 21, in the area of the shooting. That led police to a residence in the 1700 block of Tennet Ave., where Patino was arrested without incident.
A search of the residence uncovered a firearm believed to have been used in the shooting.
Patino was booked into the Kings County Jail in Hanford on charges of murder and gang enhancement. He was being held without bail.
The local police department believes the homicide to be gang related and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone who has information regarding the homicide is encouraged to call Det. Sgt. John Harris at (559)469-7248.
