FRESNO - Around 4:30 pm on Saturday, Fresno County Sheriff’s dispatchers received a call of an injured person inside a home on the 6800 block of W. Clinton Ave. in Fresno. Deputies arrived and found Javier Vera, 54, of Fresno who had been shot and was deceased.

Deputies learned that the husband and wife had been involved in a verbal argument, which escalated into physical fight. At one point, the man began to choke the woman. A short time later, the couple’s 16 year old son fired a gun, striking his father. The boy then dialed 911 to report what happened. Deputies responded, detained the boy and secured the gun.

Sheriff’s homicide detectives arrived to the scene and worked to obtain a search warrant for the home. They began questioning the woman and her son. Members of the Crime Scene Unit processed the home for evidence.  Detectives interviewed the 16 year old boy Monday evening and determined his action of shooting his father was done to defend his mother's life.  He has been released to go back home with his mom.  Detectives never placed him under arrest and have no plans to do so in the future.

Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact Detective Gary Haslam at (559) 600-8209, Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867 or www.valleycrimestoppers.org. You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.