MADERA, CA – A tragic shooting unfolded at a Walgreens in Madera, California, on Monday night, leaving an employee dead and a community in shock. Narciso Fernandez, 30, allegedly shot Erick Velazquez, a 34-year-old father of two, at the pharmacy on West Cleveland Avenue. Fernandez, who reportedly harbored a deep-seated resentment against pharmacies, is now facing a murder charge.
The deadly encounter was recorded on security cameras, showing Fernandez acknowledging the camera before inexplicably destroying it. Authorities say he stayed at the scene, surrendering to police and allegedly admitting to killing Velazquez due to his animosity toward pharmacies.
“He had anger toward pharmacies, not just Walgreens specifically,” stated Madera Police Chief Giachino Chiaramonte. This resentment towards large-scale pharmacies, however, is believed to be the sole motive, as officials classified the shooting as a targeted attack without any prior warning signs or threats to the public.
Chiaramonte noted that Fernandez had no prior criminal history within the area. The incident unfolded around 9:35 p.m. with chilling words reportedly directed at bystanders, indicating they were not at risk. After the shooting, police found Fernandez reloading his handgun near his car.
Velazquez, who had no prior connection to Fernandez, was simply fulfilling his role as a Walgreens employee when the tragedy struck. He leaves behind a wife and two young children, who are now grappling with the sudden loss.
Despite the late hour, the Walgreens pharmacy was closed, and no pharmacists were present at the time of the incident.
In response to the tragedy, Walgreens expressed their deep sorrow and commitment to supporting their staff during this difficult time. They also assured their cooperation with the ongoing investigation by local authorities.
This incident has raised concerns over the motivations behind such attacks, emphasizing the need for community safety and mental health awareness.
As the investigation continues, Madera’s residents are left mourning one of their own, trying to find answers to an act of violence that seems to have come with little warning.