The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office has announced that its detectives had arrested two suspects in connection to the murder of Coalinga teenager Julian Andrade. FCSO says 18-year-old Nicholas Banales and 20-year-old Damian Aguilera have been arrested.

Banales was booked into the Fresno County Jail on a charge of murder. He is being held with a $2.15 million bail. Aguilera was already in jail on unrelated charges. He is now facing a charge of conspiracy to commit murder and is not eligible for bail.

Around 9:20 p.m. on April 16, 2024, Coalinga Police officers responded to shots fired in the 200 block of East Houston Street. At the scene, officers found a 16-year-old boy, Julian Andrade, suffering from gunshot wounds.

The victim was transported to Coalinga Regional Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries. FCSO says the investigation indicated that Banales approached a residence on East Houston Street and fired multiple rounds into the house.

Andrade was struck. Detectives say this is not a random act since the suspects and victim knew each other. Banales and Aguilera are allegedly gang members. Andrade was not a gang member. The motive is still being investigated.