A suspect has been identified in the killing of a Fresno police officer

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Fresno police have released the name of the suspect who allegedly killed a man in southeast Fresno and then shot an officer on Saturday.

Officers were investigating a ShotSpotter activation near Platt and 8th around 5 p.m. when the shooter, 40-year-old Andy Morales, returned to the scene and shot the sergeant multiple times while he was working in his patrol car.

The bullets went through the door and hit the sergeant in the legs.

“It was practically door-to-door when he pulled up to the patrol car and opened fire,” Interim Chief Mindy Casto explained.

“The suspect continued to drive. The sergeant who was shot had the presence of mind to activate his body camera at that moment and initiate a really short chase.”

Morales then exited his vehicle and continued to shoot Sgt.

“Multiple shots were fired, both from the suspect and the sergeant, and it was about 49 seconds before another officer was able to arrive,” Chief Casto said.

Two officers arrived and shot Morales.

In video obtained by Action News, at least a dozen gunshots can be heard ringing through the air.

Neighbors say it was a terrible night.

“We didn’t know which direction the bullets were coming from,” said a neighbor named Araceli.

“We didn’t know if it was right in front of us to the right or to the left, so I mean it was just panic, like get down on the floor, like don’t get down, get down on the floor and crawl out of that room.”

Police say Morales was hit about seven times and died at the hospital.

The sergeant is expected to be fine.

“I truly believe, knowing the sergeant and knowing what he told me, it was also to keep this community safe because a suspect who attacks a police officer is not going to stop with a police officer,” the chief said, Casto said.

The sergeant is a 21-year veteran who Mayor Jerry Dyer said showed true heroism.

“He put his life in incredible danger when he responded to this incident; he was relentless and didn’t let that man get away, and he acted with extraordinary valor and extraordinary courage,” Dyer said.

Police say Morales was a danger to the community as a gang member with multiple arrests for weapons violations, domestic violence charges and DUI.

Chief Casto said drugs were found on the suspect, so investigators believe he may have been under the influence of alcohol at the time, but that is still unknown.

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