On the evening of March 31, 2025, Madera, a city not typically known for violent crime, was shaken to its core by a senseless shooting at a local Walgreens. The suspect, 30-year-old Cisco Fernandez, walked into the store and opened fire, killing 33-year-old Erik Velasquez, a store employee. The event not only left the community grappling with the loss of a life but also with a myriad of unanswered questions.
The Shooter’s Sudden Attack
Cisco Fernandez, originally from Pixley, a small town approximately 90 miles south of Madera, entered the Walgreens with a handgun. Surveillance footage later revealed the chilling moments that followed. Fernandez shot Velasquez at point-blank range, taking his life in an instant. As the chaos unfolded, Fernandez didn’t stop at killing the employee. He turned his attention toward the store manager and a female victim, both of whom fled toward the door. Fernandez fired at them, though fortunately, neither was struck.
The shooting occurred in a store that, for many Madera residents, had been a routine stop—part of their daily errands. Alexis Miller Jones, a local resident who shopped at that Walgreens regularly, was among those shaken by the violence. She recalled a time when the store had experienced a minor incident, but this was on a completely different scale. “One time somebody busted in the doors and stole a bunch of cigarettes. But that was the biggest,” she said. “This is a lot more scary.”
The aftermath of the shooting, captured by security cameras, shows Fernandez in a calm, almost unnerving state. He pointed his gun at a surveillance camera before shooting it, then left the scene, walking toward his vehicle. Upon arrival, police confronted Fernandez as he was reloading his handgun. He surrendered without resistance, seemingly aware that his fate was sealed by the overwhelming police presence.
The Investigation Begins: A Mystery Unfolds
Madera Police, who responded to the scene quickly, were left to piece together the motive behind the senseless attack. The fact that Fernandez was not from Madera, nor did he have any apparent connection to the Walgreens or its employees, baffled investigators. With no ties to the victim or any clear personal reason for the shooting, the case raised even more questions.
Why did Fernandez, a man from a small town in the southern part of the state, drive nearly 90 miles to commit such a violent crime? Investigators uncovered that Fernandez may have had a deep-seated animosity toward pharmacies, but the specifics of this alleged grudge were unclear. Was it a broader hatred, a personal vendetta, or something more complex that led him to target this particular Walgreens? These questions remained unanswered in the wake of the shooting.
A Community in Shock
The impact of the shooting rippled through the Madera community, which is typically peaceful and free of such violent acts. Local police acknowledged that this kind of tragedy was rare in their jurisdiction, making it all the more difficult to comprehend. In the days following the shooting, the town was left to come to terms with the loss of a life and the unexpected trauma that had been inflicted on a neighborhood that had once felt safe.
Eric Velasquez, the victim, was remembered fondly by his family, colleagues, and those who knew him. He had a wife and two young children, all of whom were left heartbroken by his sudden death. The questions surrounding his death—questions of why someone would target him, a stranger, and take away a father and husband—left his loved ones and the entire community struggling to find closure.
For many, the shock of the event changed their perspective on even the most mundane activities. One local resident, a mother who frequently visited the Walgreens with her 11-year-old child, reflected on how the shooting had altered her view of everyday life. “It does change your perspective on just shopping,” she said, highlighting how something as simple as running errands had been forever tainted by the violence.
The Ripple Effects: Families Left to Grieve
The emotional toll of the shooting extended beyond the victim’s immediate family. The employees at the Walgreens, along with the countless others who had witnessed the aftermath, were all left reeling from the event. A sense of fear and uncertainty began to take root, with residents grappling with the trauma of having a violent crime unfold in their town. For some, it meant reconsidering their safety and routines. The attack was a stark reminder of how quickly a sense of security can be shattered.
In addition to the emotional scars, the financial and practical effects of the shooting were also significant. Walgreens had to address the damage to their store, the psychological impact on employees, and the broader concern about public safety. For the people of Madera, this tragedy was a sobering reminder of how deeply violence can affect not just the victims but entire communities.
The Ongoing Search for Answers
As the investigation continues, Madera police are working to uncover more details about Cisco Fernandez’s motives and his background. While Fernandez is in custody, the community and the families involved are left with more questions than answers. Why did he commit such a brutal act? What led him to target a person he didn’t know in a place he had no connection to?
Until those answers come, the town of Madera will remain in the shadow of this inexplicable tragedy, its residents left to process the loss of a life and the unsettling reminder that violence can strike at any time, even in the most unlikely of places.