Crime
32-year-old Markazsa Perry killed after a shooting in Southwest Fresno
A tragic shooting in Southwest Fresno has left a 32-year-old woman dead, prompting an active homicide investigation by the Fresno Police Department (FPD).
Authorities say the incident occurred shortly after 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday in the 700 block of East Samson Avenue.
When officers arrived on the scene, they discovered the victim, identified as Markazsa Perry, suffering from a gunshot wound to her upper body.
In addition to the victim, a nearby home sustained gunfire damage, though no other injuries were reported.
Emergency responders rushed Perry to a local hospital, but despite their efforts, she succumbed to her injuries.
FPD has classified the case as a homicide and is actively investigating. Preliminary evidence suggests that multiple individuals may have been involved in the shooting, though the exact circumstances remain unclear.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Tips can be provided anonymously through Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP.
The community remains on edge as police work to determine the motive and identify those responsible for this tragic loss of life.
Crime
34-year-old Augusta Fireman Spencer Johnson charged in accidental shooting of his 3-year-old son in Harlem
Johnson, a decorated firefighter from Augusta, was arrested on Friday.
A Columbia County father, Spencer Allen Johnson, 34, of Harlem, Georgia, has been charged with child cruelty after his 3-year-old son, Evan Johnson, accidentally shot himself in the shoulder with an unsecured firearm.
According to authorities, the incident occurred Thursday night when the child accessed an unsecured firearm in his father’s bedroom.
The young boy, left unsupervised, discharged the weapon, resulting in a gunshot wound to his shoulder. Fortunately, the child is expected to make a full recovery.
Johnson, a decorated firefighter from Augusta, was arrested on Friday.
He faces charges of child cruelty stemming from criminal negligence, which authorities allege caused “excessive physical pain” to his son through neglectful supervision. He is currently being held at the Columbia County Detention Center with bond set at $10,100.
The Harlem Police Department did not initially release information about the shooting. However, as rumors of the incident spread on social media, the situation was later confirmed by both WGAC’s Austin Rhodes and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office late Friday evening.
Early Saturday morning, Harlem Police Chief issued a statement on the department’s Facebook page, stating that the case remains under investigation as new details emerge.
The Chief’s statement suggests that the full circumstances surrounding the shooting are still being determined.
In his booking photo, Johnson is seen wearing an anti-suicide smock, a standard precautionary measure taken in some detention facilities.
The incident has sparked discussions about gun safety and parental responsibility. Authorities are expected to release further information as the investigation unfolds.
Meanwhile, the Columbia County community remains concerned about ensuring proper firearm storage to prevent similar tragedies.