Young clerk stabbed in presumed gang attack

A 19-year-old grocery store clerk was stabbed and wounded in south Hanford as he collected shopping carts in the store's parking lot Wednesday evening. Miguel Flores stumbled to the front entrance of R-N Market at Hanford-Armona Road, east of 11th Avenue, at 6:30 p.m., bleeding from a single stab wound to the chest. Other store employees saw his condition and immediately called 911, police Lt. Greg Freiner said.

"We're looking at the possibility of two suspects, both male," Freiner said Thursday. "We don't have a lot of details on them at this time, but one of them was wearing red."

Surveillance videos from the supermarket parking lot will be consulted to form a better picture of the attackers.

It's unclear what provoked the attack by the two men. A possible gang connection has been suggested, as members of the Kings County Gang Task Force have been called to assist in the initial investigation.

Flores was taken to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno for treatment. Hospital officials listed him in fair condition, though police said he was considered stable.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2425.

(Nov. 6, 2009)