‘Senseless act of violence’: Family says Fresno shooting victim was killed while picking up fishing gear

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A 70-year-old Pinedale man was shot and killed Saturday morning while visiting a home in northwest Fresno to pick up fishing equipment.

Fresno Police have identified the victim as Carl Johnson and the suspected shooter as 46-year-old Stewart Coleman.

The incident happened at a home in the 5600 block of North Cleo Avenue, near Roberts Avenue.

Police say Johnson did not live at the home—he was reportedly there to retrieve some fishing gear that belonged to a longtime friend who had passed away.

Johnson’s son, John Johnson, said his father was called to the home the night before by the widow of his former fishing buddy.

“Another person called him to go pick up that stuff,” said John. “That was, well, one of his best friends. He spoke about him very highly. And so my dad, by proxy, was probably very good friends with her as well.”

Fresno Police Lt. Brian Valles said that shortly after Carl Johnson arrived at the home around 10 a.m., an argument broke out between him and the woman’s son, Coleman.

“When officers arrived on scene, they located a 70-year-old male, later identified as Carl Johnson, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound in the backyard of the location,” said Valles.

Johnson was rushed to the hospital, where he died a short time later.

During their investigation, police say Coleman told officers there was a firearm inside the home. 

That weapon was later recovered as officers secured the property and searched for any additional suspects or victims.

Carl Johnson’s son said he believes there’s more to the story.

“My dad went there with an open heart to help a friend,” said John. “My dad was taken from us in a senseless act of violence.”

Detectives have not confirmed whether the woman played any role in the incident. 

According to police, she was the one who called to report the shooting and has been cooperative with the investigation.

However, Johnson’s family pointed out an inconsistency: they say the woman told Carl on Friday she simply wanted him to come look through some of her late husband’s fishing gear—there was no mention of a yard sale.

But during an interview with investigators, she reportedly claimed she had invited Carl over for a yard sale.

As for Coleman, he was arrested and booked into the Fresno County Jail on murder charges.