Winton shooting victim in critical condition

WINTON -- One man is in critical condition after a shooting reported early Wednesday morning in Winton, according to the Merced County Sheriff’s Department. Deputies haven’t released the name or age of the victim and the motive remains under investigation.

Just before 1:30 a.m., deputies received a shots fired call in the area of Shaffer Road and Eucalyptus Avenue, according to Deputy Tom MacKenzie. Deputies arrived at the scene and found an abandoned truck crashed into a telephone pole with evidence of damage from gunshots.

About 30 minutes later, deputies received a call from Merced police about an unidentified Latino male who showed up at Mercy Medical Center Merced with a gunshot wound to his upper torso, MacKenzie said. Detectives are interviewing the person who drove the victim to the hospital, who appears to be a friend. The vehicle driven to the hospital also had damage from gunshots.

The victim was flown to a Modesto-area hospital, where he remains in critical condition.

Anyone with information should call the Sheriff’s Department Investigations Unit at (209) 385-7472. Call are kept confidential and you can remain anonymous.