Separate shootings could be gang-linked, officials say
By CHRIS TOGNERI BEE STAFF WRITER Last Updated: November 7, 2006, 04:44:51 AM PST Source: Modesto Bee
Two men in a pickup truck shot a bicyclist in the neck and chest Monday as he rode through south Modesto, the latest in a countywide spree of "random" shootings, sheriff's officials said.
Five hours later and less than a mile away, another bicyclist was shot by someone who got out of a car and fired.
The first victim, a 28-year-old Latino man, was hospitalized with injuries that were serious, but not life-threatening, Stanislaus County sheriff's deputy Royjindar Singh said.
The victim was riding a bike on Boulder Avenue near Rio Grande Avenue about 4:30 p.m. when a truck pulled up next to him. Someone inside shot several rounds, hitting the victim "multiple times," Singh said.
The bicyclist rode toward Rio Grande, then turned onto Alamo Avenue. Paramedics found him there in front of a house, Singh said.
Investigators do not know if the men argued, if the attackers knew their victim, or if the shooting was unprovoked.
Police made no arrests. Witnesses described the pickup as a red or maroon 2000 to 2002 Chevy or GMC pickup with an extended cab. A painting or sticker of an eagle covered the back window.
The driver and a passenger were described as Latino men in their 30s.
The shooting may have been gang-related, Singh said.
The second attack was reported at 9:47 p.m. in the 1700 block of Dallas Street between Butte and Glenn avenues.
The victim, a Latino man in his late 20s, was riding his bike next to his girlfriend, who was walking. The car drove by. The passenger "looked hard" at the victim, got out of the car and confronted him, sheriff's Sgt. Paul Yotsuya said.
The gunman claimed Norteño gang membership, pulled out a gun and shot the man twice, once in each leg, Yotsuya said.
The man was speaking with investigators and the ambulance crew before he was rushed to a local hospital.
Authorities were looking for a green, two-door Saturn. The shooter was believed to have been in the passenger's seat. He was described at a Latino man, about 20 years old, wearing a red hat over a black beanie, a black jacket and black pants.
The driver was described as a Latina or white woman with red, curly hair and wearing a red shirt.
'Sounds like just a random deal'
Asked if there was any connection between the two shootings, the sergeant couldn't say.
"It's too early in the investigation to determine if they are related," he said. "It sounds like just a random deal."
The shootings Monday were the latest in a series of violent attacks countywide over the past five weeks.
Five people have been killed by gunfire in the Turlock area since Oct. 4.
In Salida, a man was shot and killed early Sunday after he opened his front door to a man pointing a gun at his chest. In Modesto, police are investigating 13 nonfatal shootings in October, more than triple the number of shootings they usually handle in a month.
"We are very concerned," Singh said. "All of Stanislaus County is concerned."
Singh described the recent attacks as "random."
Sheriff Adam Christianson said Monday night that "there is no evidence" to suggest a gang war has begun.
County law enforcement officials discussed the recent violence last week during a monthly meeting, he said.
Anyone with information on Monday's shooting is asked to call Detective Marion Moreno at 567-4475, or CrimeStoppers at 521-4636.
Bee staff writer Chris Togneri can be reached at 578-2324 or
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