Stepan Hambartsumyan, 37, was shot and killed on April 25, 2022, at about 10:00 a.m. at an apartment complex near Palm and Sierra avenues in northwest Fresno. Hambartsumyan was visiting a tenant when three people entered the unit and an argument broke out between Hambartsumyan and one of the intruders, 23-year-old Anthony Tashchian. During that altercation Tashchian, armed with a gun, shot Hambartsumyan in the upper torso; Hambartsumyan was pronounced dead at the scene.

Fresno Police responded after a report of an argument and a gunshot and identified Tashchian as the primary suspect. Less than 14 hours later Las Vegas Metro officers arrested Tashchian at a motel in Las Vegas; he was held in the Clark County Jail on a murder charge. Investigators are seeking additional witnesses who may have been present during the incident.

If anyone has information about Hambartsumyan’s killing or saw anything at the Palm and Sierra area that morning, please come forward to assist the investigation.