Man dies in gang shooting; third gun death in 11 days

A 35-year-old Modesto man was shot to death during a gang-related fight Wednesday night in south Modesto, according to police.

Officers found Victor Gaona lying in a street, according to Sgt. Brian Findlen, a Modesto police spokesman. Gaona was taken by ambulance to a Modesto hospital, where he died.

This was the third fatal shooting in Modesto in 11 days, and all are unsolved. Findlen said investigators believe Gaona's death was gang-related, and there was no indication the three shootings are linked.

"They're committed to solving these cases and following up on every lead," Findlen said of the investigators. "(The department's investigative resources) are stretched, and stretched thin. Three in such a short time would strain any police department."

About 11:15 p.m. Wednesday, officers responded to reports of shots fired near Ustick Road and Dezzani Lane, just south of West Hatch Road.

When officers arrived, they found Gaona injured and administered CPR before he was taken by the ambulance, Findlen said. No other injuries were reported.

He said the initial investigation suggests the fight started between two groups of people near Dezzani and Ustick. Investigators believe Gaona was involved in the fight, but they did not know the extent.

Several shots were fired, and a dark-colored compact-style vehicle was seen leaving north on Ustick toward Hatch, Findlen said.

Gaona's death was Modesto's 12th homicide this year.

Karl Johnson, 39, was shot and killed early Saturday in his northeast Modesto home just south of Ustach Middle School. He was taken by ambulance to a Modesto hospital, where he died.

When officers arrived at Johnson's house in the 2900 block of Lincoln Oak Drive at 4:48 a.m., they found Johnson inside injured, police said.

Family members said Johnson lived with his wife in the home, part of a subdivision lined with two-story homes, some of which still are under construction.

To safeguard the investigation into Johnson's death, Findlen said the department would not discuss any further details, including whether investigators have identified a suspect.

Alejandro Rangel, 27, of Modesto, was shot in the early hours of Aug. 24 on Yosemite Boulevard in southeast Modesto. He died in a hospital two days later.

Rangel was one of three men shot. A 30-year-old man remained at a hospital Thursday, but his condition was not available. The third victim, a 22-year-old man, was treated and released from a hospital early last week.

Police did not release the names of the injured victims or the hospital to ensure the safety of the men.

Authorities learned of the shooting at 1:53 a.m., when the men arrived at a hospital; each had gunshot wounds. The men told police they were shot while driving on Yosemite Boulevard near Riverside Drive, east of Mitchell Road.

Modesto police ask anyone with information about Wednesday's homicide to call the Central Valley Gang Impact Task Force at 538-5636. Anyone with information about the other homicides can call Crime Stoppers at 521-4636. Tipsters also can e-mail tips through the Crime Stoppers Web site, www.modestopolice.com/CrimeStoppers, 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.

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

This story was originally published September 5, 2008 at 2:58 AM with the headline "Man dies in gang shooting; third gun death in 11 days."