Man sentenced to life for gang-related shootings in Visalia

VISALIA, Calif. (FOX26) — A 20-year-old gang member was sentenced to life in prison for two different shootings in Visalia in 2020.

Myles Gonzales was convicted of opening fire on three men inside the Little Caesars at Mary’s Vineyard shopping center in Visalia in December of 2020.

The victims were former gang members known to Gonzales and a juvenile male that was with him.

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Gonzales fired several shots from a 9mm handgun, wounding the victims. All three were transported to the hospital where they recovered.

Gonzales and the teen left the restaurant but were later arrested for the shooting.

Investigators learned that Gonzales was also responsible for another shooting a month earlier at the Relax Inn in Visalia.

They say he fired shots at three men in another gang-related altercation. None of the three were hit but gunfire.

In July of this year, Gonzales pleaded guilty to premeditated attempted murder of three victims with the special allegations of discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury and that the crime was for the benefit of a criminal street gang, and gang conspiracy.

He also pleaded guilty to assault with a firearm of three victims related to the Relax Inn shooting.

The plea included special allegations that he used a firearm, and that the crime was for the benefit of a criminal street gang.

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He also pleaded to discharge of a firearm with gross negligence and that the crime was committed for the benefit of a street gang, as well as the use of a deadly weapon. All crimes are felonies.

Under current California youthful offender laws, Gonzales must serve 20 years before being considered for parole.