By The Porterville Recorder by Aaron Burgin
Clenon Ian Williams, the city’s first homicide victim of 2007, died from bleeding caused by a gunshot wound to the head, officials from the Tulare County Coroner’s office said Thursday.

The Tulare County Coroner’s Office determined Williams’ cause of death after an autopsy performed Tuesday. The announcement confirms what Porterville police initially announced Aug. 2, shortly after they declared Williams’ death a homicide.

Williams, 21, was found Aug. 2 in a dry slough bed near the intersection of F Street and Oak Avenue in central Porterville. His death marked the first homicide in Porterville since Dec. 4, when Jose Antonio “Tony” Gonzalez was gunned down near the intersection of Plano Street and Morton Avenue.

Neighbors reported shots being fired during the early morning hours preceding the discovery of Williams’ body. Police are looking into the possibility that the killing was gang-related.

Williams was recently released from the California Youth Authority, family members said.

As police continue to investigate Williams’ death, family members prepare to bury the man who was less than a month removed from his 21st birthday.

A car wash to raise funds to cover funeral expenses will take place today at the Sears on Olive Avenue. Family members have also set up an account in Williams’ name at Bank of the Sierra. The name of the account is ”Donation Account for Clenon Williams.” The account number is 0148443530.

Williams will be buried during a graveside service 10 a.m. Monday at the Hillcrest Memorial Park in Porterville.