Five Fresno Teens Stabbed in Three Separate Incidents

Police seek public's help to locate suspects in ArtHop and movie theater attacks

Apr. 4, 2026 at 12:24am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a knife blade against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the physical evidence from the Fresno stabbings and the gritty nature of the incidents.A stark, gritty image of the physical evidence from the Fresno stabbings, exposing the harsh reality of youth violence in the community.Fresno Today

Five teenagers were stabbed in three separate incidents across Fresno, California on Thursday night. Two of the stabbings occurred during the city's ArtHop event, while the third happened outside a movie theater. The victims, ranging from 13 to 18 years old, are all in stable condition. Fresno Police are investigating the incidents and have arrested two juveniles, but are asking the public to provide any surveillance or cell phone footage that could aid their investigations.

Why it matters

The stabbings raise concerns about public safety and event security in Fresno, especially during popular community gatherings like ArtHop. The incidents also highlight the ongoing challenge of youth violence and the need for better supervision and intervention programs to prevent such attacks.

The details

In the first incident near Fulton and Inyo Street during ArtHop, a 17-year-old boy was stabbed twice, once in the upper back and once in the leg, by a group of male suspects who fled the scene. Just a block away, an 18-year-old woman was stabbed in the back and a 29-year-old woman suffered a broken nose during a fight between a group of men and women. The third stabbing occurred around 10 PM outside a movie theater at River Park, where a 14-year-old boy was stabbed in the stomach, a 15-year-old girl was stabbed in the upper back, and a 13-year-old girl was stabbed in the hip. Police arrested a 14-year-old boy and a 17-year-old girl in connection with the movie theater attack.

  • Around 9 PM on Thursday, April 4, 2026 near Fulton and Inyo Street during ArtHop
  • Around 9 PM on Thursday, April 4, 2026 on Inyo Street during ArtHop
  • Around 10 PM on Thursday, April 4, 2026 outside the movie theaters at River Park

The players

Fresno Police Department

The local law enforcement agency investigating the three stabbing incidents.

Michael Cruz

The president of Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Co., who expressed concerns about the lack of regulation and underage drinking at the ArtHop event.

Fresno Lt. Larry Bowlan

A Fresno Police lieutenant who provided details about the three stabbing incidents and called for parents to be more mindful of their children's activities.

14-year-old boy

One of the two juveniles arrested and accused of assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the stabbing incident outside the movie theater.

17-year-old girl

The other juvenile arrested and accused of assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the stabbing incident outside the movie theater.

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What they’re saying

“This has got to be addressed. I think it's an issue that's solvable. And hopefully it doesn't deter people from coming downtown or experiencing events that happen.”

— Michael Cruz, President of Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Co.

“Many of these juveniles we saw last night were unsupervised. And so what I'm asking the community too is, as parents, please be mindful while your kids are off and out of school.”

— Fresno Lt. Larry Bowlan

What’s next

Fresno Police say they will reevaluate if more police presence is necessary for future ArtHop events to ensure public safety.

The takeaway

The series of stabbings during Fresno's popular ArtHop event and at a local movie theater highlight the ongoing challenges of youth violence and the need for improved event security, parental supervision, and community-based intervention programs to prevent such incidents from occurring.