Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Fresno Police Chief Mindy Casto have announced a significant development in a cold case homicide from 2016. The California Department of Justice has identified a latent print match leading to an arrest for the murder of 68-year-old Gurcharan Singh Gill. Mr. Gill was fatally stabbed during a robbery at a convenience store in Central Fresno.

Attorney General Rob Bonta acknowledged the extensive effort made by the DOJ's Bureau of Forensic Services. He stated, “I am incredibly proud of the endless hours of behind-the-scenes work our Bureau of Forensic Services put into this case. We are hopeful that this arrest will bring justice and closure to this devastating case. Thank you to our partners at the Fresno Police Department and the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office. This arrest proves that when we work together, we get results.”

Fresno Police Chief Mindy Casto highlighted the collaboration that played a pivotal role in the investigation. She noted, “This case is a powerful example of collaboration. The California Department of Justice was instrumental in the investigation of this murder. From their initial response to the crime scene the night of the murder, to the relentless work of their forensic experts that was instrumental in identifying our suspect through latent print analysis — a breakthrough that revived a 2016 homicide investigation. Without the dedication and expertise of DOJ personnel, we wouldn’t be here today announcing this progress."

Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp also commented on the longstanding impact this case has had on the victim's family and the significance of the recent arrest. She stated, “Mr. Gill was the victim of a senseless and violent act, and for nearly a decade, his family has carried the weight of unanswered questions. Today, we announce criminal charges that represent a significant step towards justice. This outcome is the result of an unwavering commitment by our office, in close coordination with the Attorney General’s Office, the FPD, and the Department of Justice’s forensic team, whose recent identification of a fingerprint match at the crime scene was pivotal. Although the defendant was a juvenile at the time of the offense, the severity of this crime demands accountability. We will continue to pursue justice to the fullest extent of the law, regardless of how much time has passed.”

The incident occurred on New Year's Day when an unknown suspect entered the convenience store where Mr. Gill was working. The suspect assaulted and stabbed Mr. Gill before robbing the store. Upon arrival, the Fresno Police Department found Mr. Gill had succumbed to his injuries. The DOJ processed the scene for physical evidence, including latent prints and DNA, but initially found no matches in their databases. The breakthrough came when the suspect was arrested in Stanislaus County and his palm prints matched those collected from the crime scene, leading to his arrest. The suspect was located in the Modesto area, and the Fresno County District Attorney's Office is prosecuting the case.

A fact sheet detailing the work of the DOJ Bureau of Forensic Services is available for further information.