Florentino Higuera, 43, was shot in the chest and died January 11, 2020, in southeast Fresno outside a home near McKenzie Avenue and Ninth Street. Officers responded after a ShotSpotter alert; Higuera was taken to Community Regional Medical Center and pronounced dead that afternoon. Investigators reported a relationship between the shooter and the victim, though the exact nature of that relationship was not clear early in the case.

Prosecutors said the killing grew out of a day of disputes involving Higuera’s friend George Castellanos and Jesus Serena Sr., who allegedly competed with Castellanos over the same woman. Surveillance captured an earlier confrontation at a bus stop and footage showed Serena Sr. picking up his son near Heaton Elementary on the day of the shooting. Castellanos identified Serena Sr. as the shooter but later admitted he had been using drugs and had lied to police about some details. Surveillance also showed Serena Sr.’s vehicle leaving the scene shortly after the shots were fired.

The defense noted there was no murder weapon or shell casings recovered and called the cellphone data placing Serena Sr. at the scene inconclusive. After a lengthy trial that started in early 2022, the jury acquitted Jesus Serena Sr. and Jesus Serena Jr. of all charges. Does anyone have additional information about Higuera’s life or the events that day?