MODESTO -- Stanislaus County sheriff's detectives are investigating a homicide that left a Patterson man dead and several questions about what happened.
According to authorities, a 20-year-old male, later identified as Eddie Hernandez, was dropped off at Doctors Medical Center in Modesto just after midnight Tuesday. Hernandez had been shot and died from his injuries at the hospital.
Modesto police initially responded to the hospital but discovered that the incident occurred in the 1700 block of Denver Street, which is off Butte Avenue west of Crows Landing Road and is outside the city limit.
Deputies and detectives from the Sheriff's Department responded to the hospital and the reported shooting site to take over the investigation.
Detectives conducted interviews and processed the scene throughout the night. Among the people they interviewed was the person who drove Hernandez to the hospital. Authorities said that person was uncooperative with investigators in providing an accurate statement of what happened.
Investigators don't know what Hernandez was doing in Modesto. "That's what they're trying to find out," said deputy Royjindar Singh. "They want to see if there are any witnesses that would know that. The one guy that was with him was being really uncooperative."
Wednesday afternoon, a few people in the area of the shooting said they hadn't heard anything about it.
Singh said no suspects have been identified, but the victim and the person with him are gang members. Hernandez has a criminal history and had been shot previously.
Singh confirmed that authorities arrested Hernandez in 2011 on a charge of attempted murder in connection with a gang-related shooting in Patterson that spring. Hernandez was arrested in September after he was treated and released from a hospital for a gunshot wound to the groin.
Investigators ask anyone with information to call Detective Frank Soria with the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department at (209) 525-7080. You can leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636, email tips to www.modestopolice.com/CrimeStoppers or text them to CRIMES (274637) by typing "Tip704" plus the message. Tipsters may be eligible for a reward.
Breaking News Editor Patty Guerra can be reached at pguerra@modbee.com or (209) 578-2343. Follow her on Twitter, @pattyguerra.
2013 Stanislaus County Homicide Map
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