Gunfire sensors credited with quick arrest in Fresno

FRESNO — Acoustic sensors mounted on lampposts and telephone poles picked up the crack of gunfire and rapidly enabled police to zero in on where it was coming from. Within minutes, the alleged gunman in the deadly rampage was under arrest.

Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer credited the technology Wednesday with the swift capture of Kori Ali Muhammad, a 39-year-old black man who authorities say killed three people Tuesday in a bid to wipe out as many whites as possible.

“He was in custody within 4 minutes and 13 seconds,” Dyer said Wednesday at a news conference where he played audio clips of the ShotSpotter technology. “Kori Muhammad would be outstanding today if it wasn’t for shots-fired detection.”

First developed two decades ago, ShotSpotter technology has been used widely since 2011 in U.S. cities. The Fresno rampage is one of the more serious crimes in which it played a vital role.

Police say Muhammad randomly targeted white men he encountered in a tree-lined Fresno neighborhood, firing 17 rounds within a few minutes before running out of ammunition, police said.

He was charged with one count of first-degree murder Thursday in the killing of a motel security guard days before the rampage. Police said he told them Carl Williams, who was also white, showed him disrespect.

Authorities say he decided to kill more white people when he learned he was wanted in Williams’ death. Prosecutors say they are holding off on three additional charges while investigators piece together their case.