Sniper Kills Man in Random Attack

A sniper shot to death a 32-year-old factory worker who was taking a noon walk around the block Friday, then eluded police who searched the area and surrounded a nearby apartment complex.

The victim, whose name was not immediately released, died in what police believe was a random attack, said Police Lt. Joe Barnes of the homicide unit.

The victim and two women, fellow employees of the Blue Diamond almond plant nearby, were walking along a sidewalk when the shooting occurred, Barnes said.

Witnesses said the victim collapsed, shot in the chest. He died on the way to the hospital in an ambulance, according to authorities.

The two women did not see a gunman, but the direction of the shot led officers to cordon off a two-block area and concentrate on a four-unit apartment complex across the street, Barnes said. Police determined that three of the units were unoccupied and located the sole resident of the fourth at work.

More than two hours after the shooting, the team finally stormed the complex but found no one.