On May 16, 1993, Alfredo Carrillo, 35, was one of seven people killed when two men armed with semi-automatic weapons entered Carrillo’s Club, a bar on the outskirts of Sanger, California, and opened fire after the bar had closed shortly after 2:00 am. Other victims included the bar’s owner, Reyes Carrillo, and his mother, Rachel Carrillo, along with employees and patrons. More than 100 patrons had left the bar shortly before the gunmen arrived, leaving those who were killed and wounded behind.

The club had a long history of disorderly activity: migrant workers, gang members, and bikers were among its patrons, and the establishment was linked in reports to drug trafficking, prostitution, and prior violent incidents. The bar’s location on the outskirts of Sanger created a jurisdictional grey area between the city and Fresno County, complicating responses.

Investigators initially struggled when prime suspects were found to be in jail at the time of the killings. The probe later identified Johnnie Malarkey as one of the gunmen; Malarkey, already serving time for another Fresno County murder, admitted involvement and is serving multiple life sentences. His alleged accomplice, Allen Helfin, committed suicide in 1998. Motive remains unclear.