Shooting suspect sought by police
By Beth Warmerdam bwarmerdam@selmaenterprise.com
Police are searching for a suspect in two shootings that happened early Saturday morning in Selma.
The Selma Police Department Investigations Unit has identified Geraldo Guiba, 29, as being a possible suspect involved in the shootings.
On May 10 at approximately 12:30 a.m., the Selma PD responded to calls of an armed suspect who entered a convenience store located near Highway 99 and Second Street. He reportedly fired a semi-automatic weapon at clerks and then fled the scene on foot, officials said.
An hour later, at approximately 1:30 a.m., Selma police officers responded to several calls regarding shots being fired in the area of Locust and Peach streets, less than a mile away from the first location. At the scene, officers discovered an adult male with injuries resulting from gunshots.
The victim, whose identity has not been released, was transported to Fresno Regional Community Medical Center where he is listed in stable condition.
The Selma PD, with the assistance of the Fresno County MAGEC team, followed leads to identify Guiba as a suspect believed to be involved in both shooting incidents.
"We've been working (this case) hard and heavy since Saturday morning," Selma Detective Rudy Alcaraz said.
On Monday afternoon, more than a dozen officers were on the trail of the suspect. After meeting for a debriefing at Shafer Park around 12:50 p.m., the officers took the short drive down the street to a residence at 3207 Thompson Ave., across the street from Selma High School.
The high school was locked down as a precaution for 40 minutes before lunch and 15 minutes into lunch on the advice of the Selma PD, said Principal Mark Babiarz.
Once on the scene, officers from the Selma PD, ATF, and the U.S. Marshalls Office could be seen descending on the house, many with their guns drawn.
Detective Rudy Alcaraz, with the Selma PD, said that Guiba had previously lived at the residence and has family members currently living there.
A woman, man and juvenile were escorted from the house and waited on the sidewalk while police conducted their search.
With the door open, an officer instructed anyone inside the house to come out with their hands up or a police dog would be sent in. When no one appeared, the dog went in to do a search of the house.
After several minutes, the dog emerged and a majority of the officers entered the house. Several officers remained outside posted at the front door, the two side gates and in the front yard.
After about 10 minutes inside the house, officers began making their way out, not having found the suspect.
Selma High Principal Babiarz said the incident did not cause any problems for the school.
"It (the lockdown) ran very smoothly. The students and staff handled it very well," he said.
The Selma Police Department Investigations Unit, with the help of state and federal agents, is still looking to locate Guiba, who has had past encounters with the law.
Guiba, who police identified as a Bulldog gang member, was arrested and convicted for his involvement in a homicide in Selma in 2001, according to Detective Alcaraz.
Guiba is described as approximately 5-feet and 10-inches tall, weighing 210 pounds. He has several tattoos on his chest and neck, the most identifiable being the letters "VSR" tattooed on his throat. He is considered to be armed and dangerous.
"If anyone sees him, don't make contact," Alcaraz said. "Call 9-1-1."
Anyone who has information on Guiba's whereabouts is asked to contact Alcaraz at (559) 896-2525.
"I feel confident that we'll find him," the detective said.
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