A suspect has been identified in the shooting and murder of a Fresno police officer

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Fresno police have released the name of the suspect who allegedly killed a man and then shot an officer Saturday in southeast Fresno.

Officers were investigating a ShotSpotter activation near Platt and 8th around 5 p.m., when the gunman, 40-year-old Andy Morales, returned to the scene and shot multiple times at a sergeant who was working in a squad car.

Bullets flew through the door and hit the sergeant’s legs.

“When he pulled up to the patrol car and opened fire, it was basically door-to-door,” Interim Chief Mindy Casto explained.

“The suspect kept driving. “The sergeant, hit by the shots, was conscious enough to turn on his body camera at that moment and begin a very short pursuit.”

Morales then exited the car and continued shooting at the sergeant.

“Multiple shots were fired from both the suspect and the sergeant, and approximately 49 seconds passed before another officer arrived on scene,” Chief Casto said.

Two officers arrived and shot at Morales.

In the video obtained by Action News, at least a dozen shots can be heard flying through the air.

Neighbors say it was a terrifying night.

“We didn’t know where the bullets were coming from,” said a neighbor named Araceli.

“We didn’t know if it was directly in front of us, to the right or to the left, so it was just panic, like get on the floor, don’t do it, get on the floor and crawl. from this room.”

Police say Morales was struck about seven times and died at the hospital.

The sergeant is expected to be OK.

“I truly believe that knowing the sergeant and knowing what he told me, it was about keeping this community safe as well, because a suspect who attacks a police officer is not going to stop with him, the chief,” Casto said.

The sergeant is a 21-year police veteran and, according to Mayor Jerry Dyer, demonstrated true heroism.

“He placed his life in incredible danger by responding to this incident; he was tenacious and did not allow this person to escape, and he acted with extraordinary bravery and courage,” Dyer said.

Police say Morales posed a danger to society as a gang member who had been arrested multiple times for gun violations, domestic violence charges and driving under the influence.

Chief Casto said drugs were found near the suspect, so investigators believe he may have been under the influence of drugs at the time, but that is still unknown.

For news and weather updates, follow Tiffany Olin on Facebook, Twitter AND Instagram.