Amadeo Avalos, 1/11/10

Name: Amadeo Avalos, 20, of Modesto

Synopsis:Amadeo Avalos, 20, of Modesto, was gunned down while driving his small truck east on Whitmore Avenue near Morgan Road. Police received calls about gunshots at 11:08 a.m. and found the victim slumped over in the driver's seat of a Chevrolet pickup at the southeast corner of Whitmore and Morgan, Ceres police Sgt. Jose Berber said.

Motivation:Police Chief Art de Werk said Avalos was targeted by his killers but declined to give a motive.

Suspect: Police said these six people were arrested in connection with the slaying:

• Primitivo Guizar, 18, of Modesto on suspicion of homicide and the special circumstance of lying in wait, which is similar to an ambush

• Enrique Valadez, 19, of Modesto on suspicion of homicide and the special circumstance of lying in wait

• Lucila Sanchez, 32, of Ceres on suspicion of accessory to a felony

• Luis Sanchez, 64, of Modesto on suspicion of accessory to a felony

• Rosa Sanchez, 54, of Modesto on suspicion of accessory to a felony

• Heliberto Sanchez, 26, of Modesto on suspicion of accessory to a felony

The Central Valley Gang Impact Task Force, Stanislaus County district attorney's office investigators, the Sheriff's Department gang unit and Modesto police helped Ceres police serve the search warrants leading to the arrests.

Investigators ask anyone with information on this case to call Detective Keith Griebel at 538-5627.

If you would like to submit photos of this victim or have other information to share, please email crime@modbee.com.