NORTH FORK — The Madera County Sheriff’s Office is reporting that a suspect sought in connection with a gunfire incident and assault at the Buckhorn Saloon last night has turned himself in.
Deputies were searching for Ray Coleman, 22, of North Fork, after he and two other young men reportedly assaulted several people at the Buckhorn last night, and then Coleman drew a gun and fired several shots.
“The suspect was cooperative and met with a Sheriff’s Sergeant to surrender,” according to the Sheriff’s Office. “He is being booked into the Madera County Jail at this time.”
Last night’s fight ensued after an argument had apparently started inside the bar and then the parties moved out into the parking lot where it escalated into a physical fight and then gunfire.
Before deputies arrived, three men fled the scene, says the Sheriff’s Office. No one was struck by the gunfire, but several people appeared to have sustained minor injuries during the fight. Sierra Ambulance responded for medical aid, but the injured parties refused care.
Deputies recovered shell casings at the scene during their investigation.
“It is unclear at this point what events led up to this disturbance, but witnesses reported that a man identified as Ray Coleman had made statements earlier in the night that he had a gun,” says the Sheriff’s Office in a statement. “Mr. Coleman was one of the three men who had fled the scene prior to deputies’ arrival.”
“I’m glad no one was injured during this melee, especially with this extremely reckless use of a firearm,” says Sheriff Jay Varney.
