The public’s help is needed to solve the June 24th case of a shooting in the Old Fig Garden Neighborhood that resulted in the death of 17 year old Nicholas Kauls.
In hopes of generating tips, members of the community have stepped up, generously donating a lot of money. They have now increased the cash reward to a total of $18,000. We want to recognize homeowners from Fig Garden who have donated $8,000, a local business owner who donated $5,000 and Valley Crime Stoppers who also donated $5,000.
In order to be eligible for the reward, you must submit your tip to Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867 or online at www.valleycrimestoppers.org You will remain anonymous and your tip must lead to an arrest to collect the cash. Tips submitted directly to law enforcement do not qualify you for the reward.
It was at 11:43 pm on Sunday, June 24th, dispatchers at the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 phone call stating gunshots had been fired outside a home and a person was hit. Deputies were dispatched at 11:44 and three minutes later the first deputy arrived at the home on the 4700 block of N. Sunset Drive. This is near Van Ness and Rialto in Fresno’s Old Fig Garden neighborhood. The deputy found a 17 year old boy, later identified as Nicholas Kauls, suffering from a gunshot wound to his head. The deputy provided medical aid while waiting for EMS to respond. Medics arrived and transported Nicholas to Community Regional Medical Center where he was listed in critical condition. Last Thursday, four days after being shot, Nicholas Kauls passed away in the hospital. Right now there is nothing to show Nick was targeted. It appears he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
On the night of the shooting, sheriff’s homicide detectives and members of the Crime Scene Unit responded to the scene to interview witnesses and collect evidence. Detectives learned Nicholas went outside the home with his friend when they were approached by people in a light colored, mid-size SUV. Someone inside the SUV pointed a gun at the boys and demanded they hand over all of their belongings. The boys refused and ran away. One of the robbery suspects then fired shots at them, striking Nicholas. The suspects drove away on Rialto. The other boy was able to get inside the home and asked for someone to call 911 for help.
Sheriff’s detectives became aware that Fresno Police detectives were investigating two other attempted robberies and shootings that occurred nearby, within approximately 30 minutes of the shooting in Fig Garden. Detectives from both agencies began sharing information to investigate the possibility of all the cases being related.
Sheriff’s detectives and police detectives contacted businesses and homeowners with surveillance cameras. Members of the public also contacted us to offer video recordings they had. Detectives were able to collect several videos showing different streets, which helped identify some vehicles possibly connected to the robbery attempts and shootings.
At this time, no arrests have been made in this case. However, detectives are making good progress as they follow leads. They know someone out there in the community has the information they need to make an arrest.
We are asking that person to do the right thing and deliver your tip to Crime Stoppers. You’ll give detectives what they need to make an arrest, provide justice to Nicholas’ family for his senseless death and be eligible to collect $18,000 in cash.
