Police: Fresno shooting suspect laughed as he recounted rampage

Laura Anthony Image
ByLaura Anthony KGO logo
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Police: Fresno shooting suspect laughed as he recounted rampage
Police revealed more about the man suspected of killing three white men in a racially-charged attack in Fresno on Tuesday.

FRESNO, Calif. (KGO) -- Police revealed more about the man suspected of killing three white men in a racially-charged attack in Fresno on Tuesday.

Detectives say 39-year-old Kori Ali Muhammad laughed as he recounted the shooting rampage, which includes gunning down a motel security guard on Thursday.

MORE: Police identify all victims of Fresno shooting

Police say Muhammad has been very cooperative but very cold-hearted, even light-hearted about what he admitted doing. As for a motive, police said it had something to do with his longstanding hatred.

"Kori Muhammad is not a terrorist, but he is a racist," Fresno Police Dept. Chief Jerry Dyer said.

A day after police say Muhammad went on a shooting rampage in his city, Dyer says the suspect walked him through each murder -- without showing a hint of remorse.

"As he spoke about the shootings and shooting individuals, he did so in a very callous manner and in fact, multiple times, laughed as he described what transpired," Dyer said.

On Wednesday, the mother of one of those killed, 37-year-old Mark Gassett, came to the sidewalk where her son died.

VIDEO: Police say accused Fresno shooter stated, 'I did it, I shot them'

"He was amazing, like I said. Very loving, very caring. Text me every morning. Good morning Mom, I love you," Rosie Wagner said.

Gassett leaves behind two children, as does 34-year-old Zackary Randalls.

Police say Muhammad told detectives he targeted Randalls in the passenger seat of a PG&E truck because of his race.

The third victim, 58-year-old David Jackson, was the last one killed, just standing in front of Catholic Charities.

The handgun that police say Muhammad used, a 357 Magnum, is still missing. Detectives believe it was picked up by a Hispanic man near the shooting scene.

VIDEO: Fresno police update on shooting

FULL VIDEO | Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer press conference on Central Fresno triple homicide

"We have video evidence, which we will be analyzing, to get a detailed description of who this individual is," Dyer said.

Though he didn't want to speak on camera, Muhammad's father said his son first talked of killing people more than a decade ago.

"I keep telling Kori, stop saying white people. We need to get rid of bad people. Not get rid of them as in kill them," his father said.

Muhammad gave himself up not far from where the last victim was killed in front of Catholic Charities. He told police he gave himself up easily because, as the chief related, he had "respect for police." He didn't want to force them to shoot him and put themselves in a bad light.

EXCLUSIVE: Fresno man says he saw victim fall to ground in shooting

GoFund Me pages have been set up for some of the victims' families. Click here to make a donation to the fund for Zackary Randalls and click here for the fund for the family of Mark Gassett.

Click here for full coverage on the Fresno shooting spree.