Man accused of fatally shooting grandmother, dad’s girlfriend while family exchanged Christmas gifts

FRESNO, Calif. (TCD) -- A 23-year-old man allegedly shot his grandmother and his father’s girlfriend to death as family members got together to exchange Christmas presents.

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office announced they arrested Austin Alvarez on two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

According to a statement, on Dec. 25 at approximately 1:45 p.m., deputies responded to a shots fired call on the 17000 block of Goodfellow Avenue in Reedley. Deputies on scene located two female victims with fatal gunshot wounds. They were identified as 58-year-old Magdalena Alvarez and 39-year-old Meisa Rashid.

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office reportedly identified Alvarez as the suspect and learned that he fled the scene in a GMC pickup truck. The Sheriff’s Office contacted several law enforcement agencies to be on the lookout for the car, including the California Highway Patrol, Reedley Police, Orange Cove Police, and more. Alvarez was eventually apprehended at the intersection of American and Anchor Avenues in Orange Cove about 10 miles away.

Homicide detectives went to the scene on Goodfellow Avenue and reportedly learned Alvarez arrived at the home while family members met up to trade Christmas presents. According to the statement, Alvarez allegedly fired at Magdalena Alvarez and Rashid, then noticed his father sitting in a parked car and fired shots at him. The father remained unharmed.

The Sheriff’s Office said the motive remains unclear and the investigation is ongoing. Alvarez is being held on $2.5 million bail.

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