Visalia Police looking for information on Bethlehem Center shooting

VISALIA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – An early morning shooting outside a local resource center in Visalia has left one man dead and authorities searching for whoever is responsible.

It happened around 7:30  a.m. Tuesday near the Bethlehem Center, a food pantry located near Dinuba and Harold Avenues. Officers with the Visalia Police Department were dispatched after receiving reports of gunfire in the area.

“When officers arrived on scene, they found a 36-year-old man who had been shot multiple times,” said Liz Jones, Public Information Officer for the Visalia Police Department.

The man was transported to Kaweah Health Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.

Detectives with the department’s Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene and are now leading the investigation. Jones said the suspect or suspects remain on the loose and detectives are continuing to canvass the area.

“They’re interviewing witnesses, speaking with people who frequent the area, just trying to get an idea of who the suspect is,” she said.

At this time, police have not released the victim’s identity and say it’s unclear whether he was connected in any way to the Bethlehem Center.

According to its website, the Bethlehem Center provides food, stability, and support for those in need. Operations resumed later in the day once the scene was cleared.

Jones emphasized the importance of community involvement in cases like this.

“If you have any information—big or small—we’re asking you to come forward and contact our detectives,” she said.

Anyone with tips is asked to call the Visalia Police Department at 559-734-8116. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may do so.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.