Taylor Washington, 24, Fatally Shot While Fleeing for His Life in Southwest Fresno; Gang Violence Suspected in Broad Daylight Attack That Terrorized Neighborhood and Left Community Mourning City’s Fifth Homicide of the Year

Gun Violence Claims the Life of Taylor Washington, 24, in Southwest Fresno: Community Reeling After Brazen Daylight Shooting

FRESNO, CA — A tragic and chilling scene unfolded Thursday afternoon in southwest Fresno when 24-year-old Taylor Washington, a young man full of life and promise, was fatally shot near George and Bardell Avenues. The incident, which police believe was fueled by gang violence, has left a family grieving, a neighborhood shaken, and a community calling for justice.

A Desperate Run for Life Ends in Heartbreak

According to Fresno Police, Taylor Washington was shot multiple times in broad daylight and managed to flee for his life, running through the neighborhood in a desperate attempt to survive. Witnesses say he was bleeding heavily as he stumbled into the backyard of a nearby home, collapsing from his injuries before emergency responders arrived.

Washington was rushed to a local hospital, but despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead shortly after. He became Fresno’s fifth homicide victim of 2025.

“It’s just devastating,” said one nearby resident who asked not to be named. “You hear the gunshots, and then you hear someone screaming. To know someone lost their life like that—right in our neighborhood—is terrifying.”

Chaos and Terror in the Neighborhood

The gunfire erupted around George and Bardell Avenues, an area familiar with occasional disturbances but rarely rocked by violence of this magnitude. Bullets reportedly struck multiple parked cars in the vicinity, triggering panic among residents who feared for their own lives. Families were forced to hit the ground, children screamed, and some neighbors rushed to take shelter indoors as the shots rang out.

“I hit the floor and pulled my kids down with me,” one mother told reporters. “It sounded like a war zone.”

While the Fresno Police Department has confirmed that gang violence is suspected to be the underlying cause of the shooting, no suspects have been identified or taken into custody at this time. The investigation is ongoing.

A Life Cut Short, A Family in Mourning

Taylor Washington was known to his family and friends as a kind-hearted, ambitious young man who was trying to create a better future for himself. Loved ones are reeling from the loss and demanding answers as they begin to mourn a life cut tragically short.

“Taylor wasn’t just another statistic,” said a relative. “He was a son, a brother, a friend. He had dreams, he had people who loved him. He didn’t deserve to die like this—in pain, alone, in someone’s backyard. We want justice.”

Washington’s death has sparked renewed concerns over rising gun violence in Fresno, particularly among young men of color living in areas vulnerable to gang activity. Advocates and community leaders are calling for increased investment in violence prevention programs, youth outreach, and intervention efforts to prevent further bloodshed.

Police Urge Public to Come Forward

Fresno Police are urging anyone with information related to the shooting to come forward. They stress that any tip—no matter how small—could help lead to an arrest and bring justice to Washington’s grieving family.

“We need the public’s help,” said Police Chief Paco Balderrama. “This young man lost his life in a senseless act of violence, and there is someone out there who knows what happened. We are committed to finding those responsible, but we cannot do it alone.”

Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers or directly to the Fresno Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit.

How to Help

The Washington family has established a support page where people can find more information about Taylor, contribute to funeral expenses, and share messages of condolence. Community members are also planning a candlelight vigil to honor his memory and speak out against the continuing cycle of violence.

As Fresno mourns yet another young life lost to violence, the hope remains that justice will be served, and that Taylor Washington’s death will not be in vain—but rather a catalyst for deeper change and healing within the community.

If you saw or heard anything near George and Bardell Avenues on Thursday afternoon, police urge you to come forward. Your voice could make all the difference.