Above: Oscar Zavala booking photo (Credit: Porterville PD)
The Porterville Police Department has announced the arrest of the primary suspect in a recent fatal shooting at a local inn.
According to a department press release, officers responded to a reported incident at the Palm Tree Inn on West Morton Avenue on the morning of July 10. Officers arrived to find an unresponsive male subject who had suffered a gunshot wound to the right shoulder, which exited through his left shoulder.
Despite the efforts of medical personnel, the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene, police said.
Detectives took charge of the investigation and soon identified 27-year-old Oscar Zavala as the suspect in the murder case. Zavala, reportedly an active member of a Northern street gang, was located at a residence on the 100 block of North F Street in Porterville.
Porterville PD employed their Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team and served a search warrant at the residence. Zavala was arrested without incident and subsequently booked at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department on suspicion of murder and participation in a criminal street gang. He is reportedly being held without bail.
The Porterville Police Department is urging anyone with additional information to come forward. Individuals who wish to provide information, either anonymously or otherwise, are encouraged to contact the PPD Communications Center at (559) 782-7400, referencing PPD Case No. 23P31147.
