Seven Arrested in Gang-Related Shooting in Tulare Foods Co Market

Seven people in Tulare have been arrested in connection to a gang-related shooting at a Foods Co market.

Tulare police have arrested 21-year old Esperanza Rangel, 19-year old Jairo Cesar Delamora, 18-year old Paul Castro, and 22-year old Abraham Gonzalez and three juveniles. All seven are from Tulare. Investigators said the seven had a hand in Wednesday night’s shooting. Two people, including a Foods Co employee, were shot, and police said on Thursday they are still in critical condition.

Tulare resident Anthony Loring is counting his blessings he was not in the market at that time. He was supposed to go grocery shopping on Wednesday evening.

Loring said, "My daughter was like, ‘Dad you was gonna go get grocery today!’, and I said, ‘Ya I’m gonna wait till tomorrow.’"

But Loring said his cousin’s mother in-law was in the Foods Co at the time of the shooting. He said she hid a corner of the market when she heard the gunshots, frightened for her life.

"I don’t think it’s so much as violence in Tulare. I think it’s violence everywhere," commented Loring.

Police said a 26-year old male from Tulare got into a physical altercation with someone inside of the market on Wednesday evening, and ended up on the floor.

"It was at that point a store employee went to render aid to this person, or to assist, and during his heroic act, multiple shots were then fired at the employee and that downed person," said Sgt. Andy Garcia.

Family of the heroic Foods Co employee said his name is Tony Grijalva and he is 45-years old. They said he is a good guy, and it doesn’t surprise them he would go to help a customer.

Kendra Doyle, a representative for Foods Co said, "Foods Co is saddened by this act of violence and our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and our associate. We are grateful that our friend and fellow associate is recovering. We are cooperating fully with the police during the ongoing investigation."

Foods Co has also hired a security guard to watch over the market and to reassure to customers that the store is safe.

Loring said, "The main focus is the family members, the ones that’s got hit, hopefully they’re okay and just turn to God from there. Let God take care of it."

Investigators said the seven allegedly involved in the shooting and getaway were caught thanks to surveillance video. All seven are facing charges of attempted homicide and gang enhancement.