Location: 900 block of Spruce Road, Exeter

Incident Date: 12-23-17

Incident Time: 2130 hours

Case Number: 17-15494

Victim: Confidential

City: Exeter

Posted by: Dispatch

Suspect: Juan Tapia; age: 53

On 12-23-17, Visalia Substation patrol personnel responded to the above listed address in regards to a shooting. Upon arrival, the victim said he was confronted by a former roommate who shot at him several times. The victim was not injured.   

Detectives and Forensic Evidence Technicians responded to the scene where they collected evidence. While processing the scene, witnesses received phone calls from the suspect indicating he still intended to kill the victim. 

Detectives continued their investigation and were able to locate the suspect in the Lindsay area. He was taken into custody without incident. At the time of his arrest, he was found in possession of the firearm used at the time of the shooting. Based on his criminal past, the suspect was also booked on fresh charges of a felon in possession of a firearm as well as carrying a concealed weapon and attempted homicide.      

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Investigations Unit at (559) 735-1898. They can also call 24 hours a day at (559) 733-6218 or anonymously, by accessing the TipNow page at tcso@tipnow.com or (559) 725-4194.