Madera police working to solve two murders

MADERA, Calif. (KFSN) -- Madera police are trying to solve two murders Thursday. One man died after being shot while talking with some friends on C Street. A short time later, another man was shot and killed while walking down Park Street near Oak.

Police say both of these shootings involved rival gangs, they aren't sure if they are related. But the shooters both fired into crowds after a heated exchange.

Araceli Vega was steps away from her boyfriend Wednesday night when a car pulled up. She didn't recognize the people in it, but saw the passenger pull out a gun and point it at 20-year-old Jesus Maclovio.

"It was like three or four bullets and one got him in the chest in the heart, and that's when he just fell," said Vega. "And when I was running, I was calling his name and then like, he just stood up and told me to call the police."

Madera police say surveillance video from a mini mart shows the suspects' vehicle and a portion of the events that led to the murder. Thursday morning detectives returned to the crime scene to follow up with witnesses and family members. They already have some details about what happened.

Detective Shant Sheklanian with the Madera Police Department said, "A vehicle approached and there was some words, gang slurs that were exchanged between the two groups. Moments later shots were fired and the vehicle left the area at a high rate of speed."

Just as investigators were wrapping up their investigation on Park Street Wednesday night, they were called to the west side of town to another shooting.

Neighbors say Vincent Salazar was hanging out with friends when another car pulled up and confronted them. Words were also exchanged, before he was shot. Police are trying to figure out whether one shooting may have been in retaliation for the other.

Detective Shant Sheklanian explained, "With the timeline, and the fact that one was a northerner or Norteo street gang murder and the other was a Sureos, there is a possibility it was a retaliation shooting but it's hard to say for sure at this point."

Maclovio, is the father of a seven month old. His girlfriend is also pregnant with the couple's second child. Friends say Salazar has three kids and loved to barbecue.

No arrests have been made in either murder. But police are analyzing the surveillance video hoping that leads them to at least identify the car used in one of the murders.