‘It’s a City of Fresno problem’: Community speaks out about city worker attack

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Community members are speaking out about the attack that nearly killed a City of Fresno worker.

56-year-old Tim Smith volunteered to work an overtime shift in Chinatown on April 11. Police say that’s when the suspect, identified as Dyllan Padavona, allegedly walked up to Smith and struck him in the back of the head with an object.

Mercedes Carrillo has worked at Cuca’s, located on 907 F Street, for the past 23 years. She explained that she was extremely shocked to find out what happened to Smith. 

“I’m used to seeing people out here all the time, you know, they’re not in their right mind,” she said. “They’ve never been really that vicious. To come in and treat us that way.”

Since Friday, Carillo says it’s been business as usual, but the brutality of Smith’s attack is what’s most concerning for her.

“It’s just crazy. It’s heartbreaking,” she said. “I don’t think it’s a Chinatown problem. I think, in general, it’s a City of Fresno problem,” she noted.

She says Smith ate at Cuca’s all the time, sometimes even on his days off. 

“He always came in with a smile. You know? ‘Hey, Mercedes, how are you doing?'” she said with a smile. 

Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias oversees the area where the attack happened. 

“We’ve successfully been able to permanently house more than 8,000 people. But a very small percentage of the unhoused community are continuously committing crimes in our city,” he said. “So far, we have invested $400 million in providing housing and services for the homeless.”

Mayor Jerry Dyer says helping everyone in Fresno feel safe is something that’s always top of mind.

“Any violent crime is not acceptable anywhere, whether it’s in Chinatown or in northeast Fresno,” he said. “We’re constantly looking at ways to improve the safety of our city workers as well as just the safety of that entire area. Any time you have an incident like that, we increase our visibility of patrol officers within that particular area.”

According to Fresno Police, Padavona has a history of assault on police officers, resisting arrest, trespassing, and vandalism. 

In connection to the attack on Smith, Padavona faces several charges, including attempted homicide. If convicted, he could face up to 12 years in prison. 

Padavona’s arraignment is set for April 16 at 8:30 a.m.