Man found dead in Turlock house

Turlock police are investigating the death of a man who appears to have been shot in a home in the 400 block of Lewis Street early Tuesday. The victim's name and age have not been released.

Police received several 911 calls about 5:30 a.m. regarding the shooting, said Sgt. Nino Amirfar. Officers found the man's body inside the home.

Officers checked to make sure the scene was secure and that there were no other victims, then went outside to wait for a search warrant, Amirfar said.

Police did not say whether a weapon had been recovered.

About noon, investigators donned white jumpsuits, masks and caps to go back inside the home. Neighbors said authorities were in and out of the house all afternoon.

One neighbor, who has lived on the block for about 30 years, said she believed several men lived in the home.

"We didn't get involved with them," she said. "You know how you just wave?"

She did not want to be named because the circumstances of the homicide remain hazy.

She said she was surprised to learn of the shooting.

"I didn't hear anything," she said. "Even the neighbor next door to them didn't hear any shots. The neighbor said the dog was barking, and somebody out there was walking around."

Another longtime resident was stunned by the incident.

"We've lived in this house for 30 years," she said. "We've seen a lot of changes, but with this neighborhood in particular, a Realtor I know calls it an oasis. There can be some trouble on the other side of the school (Wakefield Elementary) that's near us, but not generally on this side. We were all pretty shocked. This doesn't happen here."

She did not want to be named for safety reasons.

Tuesday's death makes 12 homicides in Stanislaus County in 2009. Eight of the victims were men and four were women.

Two other people have been killed in Turlock homicides this year: Kelly Story, 40, on Jan. 31; and Anthony Simmons, 32, on Feb. 16.

Authorities ask anyone with information about this case to call Detective Mike Parmley at 668-5550, ext. 6793, or Crime Stoppers at 521-4636. Tipsters can visit www.modestopolice.com/CrimeStoppers to e-mail tips, or text tips to CRIMES (274637) by typing "Tip704" plus the message. Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.

Bee staff writer Emilie Raguso can be reached at eraguso@modbee.com or 578-2235.