Man opened fire during Christmas gift exchange killing his grandma, father's girlfriend: cops

A man opened fire at a Christmas present exchange killing his grandmother and father’s girlfriend, police said. However, investigators are stumped why the double murder happened.

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office in California announced the arrest of Austin Alvarez, 23, in connection to the double murder. He has been charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

Alvarez’s bond was set at $2.5 million.

Around 1:45 p.m. on Dec. 25, Fresno County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a shots fired call at a home in Reedley, California. There, deputies found two women with gunshot wounds.

The suspect, Alvarez, left the area in a GMC pickup trick before officers arrived, according to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.

Various police agencies searched for Alvarez and found him in nearby Orange Cove, according to the sheriff’s office. He was then taken into custody.

Witnesses said Alvarez arrived at the house where some of his family members gathered to exchange Christmas gifts. During the visit, Alvarez opened fire, hitting his grandmother — Magdalena Alvarez — and his father’s girlfriend — Meisa Rashid.

Alvarez then shot at his father, who was in a parked vehicle, as the suspect left the house, according to the sheriff’s office. His father was not injured.

Police say they have not determined the motive for the shooting.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact police at (559) 600-8221.