Woman in jail following Fig Garden shooting, neighbors speak out against home where it happened
The woman accused of a shooting in Fresno's Fig Garden area weeks ago is now in jail.
Fresno County Superior Court Judge Geoffrey Wilson ordered Jennifer Cedano into custody on Monday as she pleaded not guilty to the charges against her.
Investigators say Cedano was dressed in full tactical gear when she shot and injured a 64-year-old bystander late last month.
"Ultimately, the target was her nephew, who she believed had inappropriately touched her daughter," Deputy District Attorney Rachel Baskin said.
Prosecutors charged Cedano with assault and residential burglary, and say she admitted to key parts of the crime.
At times, she nodded along in court.
"She felt like they all must have been pedophiles, so she was justified in shooting him," Baskin said.
The violence unfolded near the Centers for Living, a transitional housing facility in Fig Garden.
Sheriff's investigators and neighbors say it is known to law enforcement.
"Since they have moved in there several years ago, you'll see more gates have been put up and more security cameras," resident Beverly Raine told Action News.
Raine is speaking out, highlighting the arrest of a registered sex offender at the Centers for Living in March for internet crimes.
"I was surprised it took this long for something like that to happen, quite frankly, because there have been issues ongoing there ever since that house has opened," Raine said about the August shooting.
Centers for Living CEO John Coyle was not available for an interview on Monday.
"We are deeply saddened by the recent incident and are grateful for the quick response of law enforcement. By God's grace, no one was seriously hurt," Coyle wrote in a statement to Action News.
"Centers for Living is a faith-based non-profit organization that has operated seven homes in Fresno County for over seven years without any similar violent offenses. Our clients are referred through established churches and county-wide partner agencies who specialize in helping the marginalized population we serve. Clients do not walk up to or from our properties; all intakes are coordinated in advance to ensure safety and accountability," Coyle added.
"We remain committed to being good neighbors and to partnering with local leaders to promote safety, stability, love and hope in the communities where we operate," Coyle wrote.
Cedano is looking to hire a private attorney as she fends off the charges.
She is due back in a week for the first of two key hearings, and her public defender hinted that her case would go to trial.
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