By Sarah Elizabeth Villicana, The Porterville Recorder
A shooting that took place Sunday night behind Bartlett Middle School is now being investigated as a homicide.

BELOW - The tree across street where victim was shot has shooter's street {PESOS} name on it & police code for murder - 187 ESV X4 Norteno Gang Name

ABOVE - East Side Varrio X4 Tag

Raymond Murrieta Sr., 49, was pronounced dead Monday - one day after he was shot in the 300 block of North Kessing Street.

With six weeks remaining, 2006 has already proven to be the most violent year in Porterville's recent history. Murrieta's death makes Sunday's shooting the city's eighth suspected homicide of the year.

Porterville police have arrested five suspects in connection with the shooting. Shortly after 8 p.m. Sunday, emergency dispatchers received a report of shots being fired in the 300 block of North Kessing Street, according to a statement from police. The report was made by an anonymous female caller.

Officers located Murrieta sprawled on a front lawn and suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to Sierra View District Hospital and later to University Medical Center in Fresno. Early Monday evening, Sgt. Duanne Griffin said Murrieta was dead and police were now investigating a homicide.

Police arrested Porterville residents Francisco Ramirez, 28, Charles Jimenez, 28, Rudy Jimenez, 29, Sam Murrieta, 21 and Raymond Murrieta Jr., 23, on suspicion of attempted murder Sunday night. Detectives believe Murrieta and two of his sons, Raymond Murrieta Jr. and Sam Murrieta, went to the Kessing Street address to confront Rudy Jimenez over a child custody issue. Rudy Jimenez is reportedly the boyfriend of Murrieta Sr.'s daughter.

An argument on Sunday escalated to the point of gunfire, injuring not only Murrieta, but two of the suspects, police report. The suspects had not been charged as of Monday evening, but police said any charges of attempted murder would likely be upgraded to murder.

During the police investigation, detectives learned the shooting stemmed from a confrontation regarding child custody along with a previous altercation between the victim and one of the suspects, police report.

Murrieta suffered from a gunshot wound while Charles Jimenez and Ramirez suffered injuries from a shotgun blast. The two suspects were treated and released from Sierra View, and later booked.

Weapons used in the shooting have not been located and police are looking for at least one additional suspect. Police said more arrests are anticipated.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call police at 782-7400.

Contact Sarah Villicana at 784-5000, Ext. 1045, or svillicana@portervillerecorder.com.

This story was published in The Porterville Recorder on Nov. 21, 2006