Man, 22, arrested in Modesto shooting

By Rosalio Ahumada
rahumada@modbee.com

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Police on Thursday arrested a 22-year-old man suspected of shooting another man Wednesday morning near Elliott Alternative Education Center in central Modesto after they argued over a girlfriend, a department spokesman said.

Joseph Howerton was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and using a firearm to commit a felony, said Modesto police Detective Steven Stanfield.

Howerton was arrested during a traffic stop in Modesto. Officers searched his vehicle and found a handgun believed to be the weapon used in the shooting, Stanfield said.

The 18-year-old man wounded in the shooting suffered nonlife-threatening injuries and was treated at a Modesto hospital. Police did not release his name.

The shooting occurred about 9:30 a.m. in the 500 block of East Coolidge Avenue, west of Sunrise Avenue and north of East Orangeburg Avenue.

Police said Howerton and the victim had argued over the girlfriend earlier in the day.

Howerton left but returned with a gun, and the victim was shot in the stomach, said police Detective Darren Ruskamp. Howerton then left the scene, and the victim was taken by friends to the hospital.

Bee staff writer Rosalio Ahumada can be reached at rahumada@modbee.com or 578-2394.