Deputies investigate homicide in Modesto's airport neighborhood

MODESTO -- Stanislaus County sheriff’s detectives today are investigating the shooting of a man who was found dead Thursday night in the front yard of a home in Modesto’s airport neighborhood.

As of this morning, authorities had not yet identified the victim. An autopsy has been scheduled for Saturday. Detectives were looking for Kraig Palacio, 20, who is considered a “person of interest” in the investigation. Sheriff’s officials described Palacio as standing 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 190 pounds. He has brown hair and blue eyes.

About 9:30 p.m. Thursday, sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a man found unresponsive in front of a home along Mono Drive, near Mono Park. The deputies and medics arrived and found the man had been shot and was dead.

Sheriff’s homicide detectives worked through the night, looking for evidence in the area and interviewing potential witnesses.

Sheriff’s officials ask anyone with information about this shooting to call Detective Darwin Hatfield at (209) 525-7100 or Crime Stoppers at (209)521-4636. Tipsters also can e-mail tips through the Crime Stoppers Web site, www.stancrimetips.org, or text tips to CRIMES (274637) by typing “Tip704” plus your message. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and are eligible for a cash reward.