Detectives ID person of interest in fatal Patterson shooting

PATTERSON — Investigators Thursday continued to follow up leads in the fatal shooting of a young man at a park on the east side of town Wednesday night, and were looking for a "person of interest."

The Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department identified the victim as Jesus Gallardo, 19, of Patterson.

Authorities responded to a report of shots fired at Felipe Garza Memorial Park on North Hartley Street just after 6:30 p.m., Deputy Royjindar Singh said.

Deputies didn't see anything when they first arrived at the darkened park, but soon found Gallardo's body behind the backstop of the baseball field.

"Witnesses came up and talked to deputies," Singh said. Deputies took them to their office for further discussion.

"Detectives are investigating this as a gang-related incident," Singh said.

Thursday evening, detectives appealed for the public's help in finding Victor Valdovinos, 26. Investigators would not say why they wanted to talk with Valdovinos, or whether he is the suspected shooter, Singh said. Valdovinos was described as Latino, 5-foot-11, 220 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Authorities said he is known to frequent the Patterson and Merced County area.

Earlier Thursday, a small memorial had been assembled at the spot.

Mayor Luis Molina noted that it's the third January in a row the city has started the year with a tragedy.

In January 2010, Jennifer Lynn Bigham, 23, was arrested for allegedly drowning her 3-year-old daughter in a bathtub while the two were visiting family. And last year, authorities said, Jose Esteban Rodriguez kidnapped 4-year-old Juliani Cardenas and drove into a nearby canal; both died.

"This is a different kind of tragedy, but nevertheless, it's a life taken," Molina said.

At recent City Council meetings, some residents have complained of increased gang activity in Patterson.

"We need to address some of the activity going on around here," said Molina, who noted he is planning a community meeting with residents to discuss their concerns.

"People say it's unsafe," he said. "We need to take back the parks."

Molina said he hopes to encourage more family activities in Patterson, to offer young people an alternative to the gang lifestyle. During National Night Out activities in August, residents near the park said they were reluctant to come outside, according to Molina.

"They said every time they see the sheriff and the Fire Department, something bad has happened," Molina said.

He also wants to encourage more interaction between residents, law enforcement and elected officials.

"We can't put a cop on every corner," he said. "But we need to do a better job of becoming better neighbors, and better witnesses. We need to build those relationships."

Investigators ask anyone with information on the case or Valdovinos' whereabouts to contact Detective Darwin Hatfield at (209) 525-7100.

Bee staff writer Patty Guerra can be reached at pguerra@modbee.com or (209) 578-2343.

This story was originally published January 5, 2012 at 12:10 PM with the headline "Detectives ID person of interest in fatal Patterson shooting."