Three people were fatally shot in downtown Fresno, Calif., Tuesday morning when a man opened fire in what police say is being investigated as a targeted attack against white people, and possibly terrorism.
Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer confirmed 39-year-old Kori Ali Muhammad was taken into custody in connection with the shootings. Police said he fired 16 shots in 60 seconds at four people, all of whom were white.
At about 10:45 a.m. local time, Muhammad went on a random shooting spree, first pulling the trigger on a person in a PG&E utility truck, then three others, including a person walking down Fulton Street, and another in the parking lot of Catholic Charities.
An officer nearby spotted the gunman and police apprehended him. The incident is being investigated as a potential terrorist attack because the suspect yelled “Allahu Akbar” as police officers took him down following the shooting. Officers found .357 ammunition on Muhammad, but no weapon.
However, the ammunition was the same type that was used in a fatal shooting at a Motel 6 last week, Dyer said.
Muhammad went by the nickname “Black Jesus,” Dyer said at a news conference. He had written on Facebook about his disdain for white people.
Muhammad will be detained on murder and attempted murder, while authorities investigate the incident as a possible act of terrorism.
