Man found shot to death in parked car
A 22-year-old man was shot and killed while sitting in a parked car early Saturday in west Modesto, a police spokesman said.
Luis Martinez of Modesto was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Stanislaus County coroner's officials.
This was the 19th homicide in Modesto this year, said police Sgt. Brian Findlen. Nine homicides occurred in Modesto for all of 2007, and 11 for all of 2006, according to police data.
About 1:10 a.m., officers responded to the west Modesto neighborhood to a report of shots fired, he said.
Martinez's body was in the parked white sedan on Marlow Street, just north of Robertson Road and a few blocks east of South Carpenter Road. The car was parked on the northeast corner of an intersection, police said.
Investigators said Martinez was shot while sitting in the driver's seat. Several shots were fired at Martinez, but investigators declined to say how many gunshot wounds he suffered. Findlen did not know whether anyone else was in the car when Martinez was shot.
Investigators also declined to say whether a weapon was recovered or whether anything was stolen from Martinez.
Findlen said investigators did not want to release specific details about the shooting, fearing it would harm their investigation.
"There isn't any information that would lead us to believe the victim was gang-involved," Findlen said Saturday evening. "But we can't rule out anything, because the investigation is not complete."
Police said a white, "boxy-type" car was seen leaving the area and heading south on Marlow Street after the shots were heard.
The shooting occurred near Mar- tinez's home, according to family members who gathered at his home Saturday night.
"His mother doesn't want to talk right now," a family member said when approached by a reporter. "Just not right now."
Other family members also declined to comment. They were sitting in the living room, grieving.
Modesto police ask anyone with information about this shooting to call Detective Terry Seese at 538-5636 or Crime Stoppers at 521-4636. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Tipsters also can text information to Crime Stoppers by sending a text message to 274637. Just type "TIP704" along with your message.
Bee staff writer Rosalio Ahumada can be reached at rahumada@modbee.com or 578-2394.
This story was originally published December 7, 2008 at 3:14 AM with the headline "Man found shot to death in parked car."