The Cinco de Mayo holiday weekend passed quietly with no major incidents, according to Madera police.
Sgt. Gino Chiaramonte said police officers were prepared and out in force on normal patrols, but no shootings or other gang violence were reported.
Many local Cinco de Mayo celebrations and family parties were held in the city over the weekend, and in the county.
Officers were on higher alert and expecting some renewed gang activity after the murder of 16-year-old Jesus (Jessie) Espinoza on April 18. Espinoza was shot four times at point blank range by a 15-year-old school mate as he was walking after school on Madera Avenue near Carl’s Jr. The boys reportedly exchanged gang signs...