Deputies seek clues in Empire stabbing death
EMPIRE — Stanislaus County sheriff's detectives on Wednesday continued looking for information to help identify two men suspected in the death of a Modesto man who was stabbed during a fight late Saturday in a nightclub's parking lot.
About 10:45 p.m., sheriff's deputies responded to Antonio's Bar and Grill, which is also a strip club, at 5700 Yosemite Blvd. on the outskirts of town. The deputies found Mark McRorie, 28, injured in the parking lot.
McRorie was taken by ambulance to Memorial Medical Center in Modesto, where he was pronounced dead early Sunday. The stabbing was the fourth homicide this year in the sheriff's jurisdiction.
Sheriff's detectives are reviewing surveillance video from the business, which captured the confrontation. The two suspects are seen fighting with McRorie before they leave.
"At this point, we're trying to identify the two suspects and get them off the street," said deputy Andrew Winter, a sheriff's spokesman. "We're hoping somebody will see these two guys and recognize them."
Some tips have been provided, and detectives are following those leads. Winters said the detectives hope other tipsters will step forward and offer more information.
Detectives are looking for two suspects, described as Latinos in their early to mid-20s. One suspect is of medium height with a medium build and a mustache; the other has a heavy build and is several inches taller.
Winter said one of the suspects appears to have a tattoo on his left forearm. While the suspects might be associated with gangs, Winter said McRorie did not appear to be associated with gangs.
He said there is no indication the suspects tried to rob McRorie, and detectives are still trying to determine what led to the fight.
The suspects were last seen driving toward Waterford in a two- or four-door sedan, possibly gray in color.
Sheriff's investigators ask anyone with information about this stabbing to call Detective Ken Hedrick at 525-7083. Callers can leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at 521-4636. Tipsters can e-mail tips at www.modestopolice.com/CrimeStoppers, or text them to CRIMES (274637) by typing "Tip704" plus a message. Tipsters can be eligible for cash rewards.
Bee staff writer Rosalio Ahumada can be reached at rahumada@modbee.com or 578-2394.
This story was originally published March 10, 2010 at 10:30 PM with the headline "Deputies seek clues in Empire stabbing death."