Mario Santino Ternora, 43, was found dead inside a residence on East Platt Avenue in Fresno on October 26, 2024, having suffered both gunshot and stab wounds. The discovery followed a ShotSpotter alert around 5:23 p.m. that drew police to the neighborhood.

Authorities identified 40-year-old Andy Morales, a known gang member and childhood friend of Ternora, as the suspect. Morales returned to the area about an hour into the police response, ambushed a sergeant sitting in a patrol vehicle and shot him in the legs with an AR-15 style rifle. The sergeant pursued Morales; after Morales crashed his vehicle and attempted to flee on foot, a 49-second gunfight ensued in which Morales was shot multiple times and later died at a hospital. Officers later located Ternora’s body in the residence. Police say the motive for Morales’s attack on his lifelong friend is unclear.

A GoFundMe was set up to help Ternora’s surviving son, Damian, and his family. If anyone knew Mario, Andy, or saw activity around East Platt Avenue on October 26, please come forward with information.