Atwater police continue to investigate a shooting that occurred on May 16th, 2022 at around 5:00 p.m. in the 2800 block of Secretariat Avenue.

Officers responded to the scene after receiving several 911 calls reporting a shooting.

Shortly after, dispatch received several reports of a person who had suffered a gunshot wound asking for assistance in front of the joint City Hall/Police Department building at 750 Bellevue Road.

Officers were dispatched to both locations. Upon arrival in front of City hall, officers contacted two individuals an adult Hispanic male and an adult Hispanic female. The male subject had suffered a single gunshot wound to the back. The victim was airlifted to a Modesto hospital and at this time is in stable condition.

Officers found at the Secretariat location evidence of a shooting in the parking lot of an apartment complex. Multiple shell casings and a firearm was collected as evidence. Other evidence suggested that approximately 10 shots were fired at the location. Several rounds hit at apartment in the complex. No other injuries were reported at this time.

Officers have determined that both the Bellevue Road and Secretariat incidents are related. There is information that the shooting was related to narcotics activity at the Secretariat location.

The wounded subject has also been identified as being involved in the Secretariat shooting and charges will be requested from the Merced District Attorneys Office for shooting at an inhabited dwelling and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

No arrest have been made at this time.
The investigation is ongoing, and the Atwater Police Department needs the public’s help in gathering information related to this case.

If a member of the public has information or observed anything related to this case, please contact the Atwater Police Department at 209-357-6384 and ask for Detective Sgt Brum or Detective Vargas.