Man Accidentally Kills Sister When Fatally Shooting Her Boyfriend: Police

A murdered woman's dad and brother have been arrested in California after they allegedly carried out a fatal drive-by shooting where she and her boyfriend were killed.

In a Wednesday, July 13, Facebook post a Fresno Police Department (FPD) spokesperson revealed they had arrested Gerardo Zurita, 40, and Leobardo Zurita, 19, in connection with the double murder.

Stacy Zurita, 21, and her boyfriend Raul Jose Roberto Nunez, 25, were shot dead at 3829 E. Iowa Avenueabout 11:30 p.m. on Friday, July 8.

According to the Gun Violence Archive, a database that collects information about shootings from across the U.S., 35 people have been shot dead in Fresno since January 1, this year.

Police said Leobardo allegedly fired at the couple and that Gerardo drove the vehicle as they made their getaway. The weapon used in the shooting has yet not been located.

The Facebook post continued: "Both victims were transported to CRMC [Community Regional Medical Center] where they later died from their gunshot wounds. Detectives from the Homicide Unit responded and began their investigation.

"They learned that a fight had taken place between members of both the Zurita and Nunez families at the Iowa address.

"Witnesses reported seeing a vehicle leave the scene but return a short time later. Shots were fired from an occupant inside the vehicle, striking both Raul and Stacy."

Police later added: "Through their investigation, detectives determined that 40-year-old Gerardo Zurita drove the suspect vehicle and 19-year-old Leobardo Zurita fired the shots.

"Gerardo was identified as the father of both Stacy Zurita (suspected victim) and Leobardo Zurita (murder suspect)."

The FPD spokesperson said both suspects were spotted at an address in Fresno County on Tuesday, July 12, and that both were taken into custody. Both suspects were booked into the Fresno County Jail for two counts of murder.

According to NBC affiliate KSEE, Fresno police Lt. Paul Cervantes said the shooting happened following a fight between the Zurita and Nunez families.

He added that Leobardo claimed to have only intended to shoot Nunez and not his own sister.

The investigation is ongoing.

Cervantes continued: "Both Loebardo and Gerardo after this incident took steps or efforts to conceal their identities. Specifically, Gerardo shaved his head and Leobardo cut his ponytail and shaved some facial hair."

Police said anyone with additional information on this case (Case# 2207081287) is encouraged to contact Fresno Police Department Homicide Detective Ryan Rockwell at 559-621-2448 or Detective Chris Franks at 559-621-2427.

Anyone calling with information can remain anonymous by contacting Crime Stoppers at 498-STOP (7867).

Newsweek has contacted the FPD for comment.