Father killed in California Walgreens shooting as police search for motive behind attack

MADERA, Calif. (KMPH) — A tragic shooting at a Walgreens in Madera Monday night has left a father dead, with authorities searching for answers about the motive behind the attack.

Police say 30-year-old Narciso Gallardo Fernandez drove more than an hour from Pixley to Madera on Monday night before opening fire inside the Walgreens on Cleveland Avenue. Surveillance footage captured Fernandez shooting at a security camera inside the store.

Authorities have yet to determine a clear motive for the shooting, though Madera Police Chief Giachino Chiaramonte noted that Fernandez had strong issues against pharmacies in general.

"We're having difficulties because some of the statements show that he had anger towards pharmacies in general, not specific Walgreens," Chief Chiaramonte said.

The store remained closed on Tuesday as the community grappled with the tragedy and the lingering question: why here?

Police say Fernandez had no known ties to Madera and no previous interactions with local law enforcement.

"He has no ties to Madera. He has no prior contacts with the sheriff's department or PD here," Chief Chiaramonte confirmed.

Authorities responded to reports of gunfire just after 9:30 p.m. Monday.

"He did communicate to some of the female victims that were out front and said, 'This isn’t about you,' and stormed off to his car to where officers found him reloading his handgun," Chief Chiaramonte explained.

Inside the store, officers found 34-year-old Erick Velazquez dead. Velazquez, a Walgreens clerk, had no known connection to Fernandez. Other employees had taken shelter during the attack.

"You could say only one life was lost, but we have numerous people touched trying to understand the why. I have a victim's family. He’s got a wife. He’s got two children—one’s an infant—and they’re trying to understand the why," Chief Chiaramonte said.

Fernandez had previously attended UC Merced, about 45 minutes from Madera, but investigators say that detail has not provided any insight into his motives.

Madera police are now urging anyone who knows Fernandez to come forward with information that could help explain why he targeted this Walgreens.

Fernandez has been booked into the Madera County Jail on homicide charges.