Fresno Police Identify Two Homicide Suspects As City Records Surge In Violent Crime For Early 2026

Fresno police name Jaime Martinez and Michael Dorsey as suspects in March killings. City homicides have more than doubled in early 2026 compared to last year.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 1, 2026, 4:25 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Fresno Bee

Police Name Suspects in Separate Killings

The Fresno Police Department has identified two men wanted for murder following a violent stretch in March. Lt. Brian Valles named 21 year old Jaime Martinez and 40 year old Michael Dorsey as the primary suspects in two distinct investigations. Martinez is accused of fatally shooting his roommate, 32 year old Shannon Ivory, at an apartment complex near Barstow and San Pablo avenues on March 14. A second victim, a 22 year old male, was also injured in that incident. In an unrelated case on March 19, Dorsey allegedly shot 38 year old Perry Paul Espinosa during a disturbance involving multiple individuals near Samson Avenue and Martin Luther King Boulevard. Espinosa was found dead in the street upon officer arrival.

Reward Increased for Information

Both Martinez and Dorsey are currently at large and should be considered armed and dangerous, according to police. In an effort to expedite their capture, Valley Crime Stoppers has increased the reward for information leading to an arrest to $3,000. Investigators are urging the public to exercise caution and report any sightings of the suspects immediately. The department has opened multiple lines for tips, including direct contact with the Fresno Police Department and anonymous reporting through the Crime Stoppers hotline.

Sharp Uptick in Citywide Violence

The recent homicides come amid a troubling statistical shift for Fresno. During a press conference on Tuesday, Lt. Valles revealed that the city’s homicide rate for 2026 is currently on pace to significantly surpass 2025 figures. At this time last year, Fresno had recorded four homicides; as of late March 2026, that number has risen to nine. This increase marks a departure from the previous year’s progress, where the city recorded only 22 intentional homicides—the lowest annual total since 1974. Police officials are now analyzing the "uptick in violence" to determine if there are underlying patterns or if the incidents represent an isolated surge.