Two men shot at a family celebration in Ceres, leaving one in critical condition
Two men at a family celebration were shot Saturday evening in Ceres, leaving one of the victims in critical condition, officials said.
Ceres police received a call at 5:51 p.m. to the 3500 block of Chandra Court reporting shots fired and two people injured. When officers arrived, they found the men, ages 20 and 25, with gunshot wounds, according to Sgt. Jose Berber.
The 25-year-old was shot in leg and upper chest, Sgt. Jason Cooley said in a news release Sunday. He remained in critical but stable condition, Cooley added by phone late Sunday morning.
The other victim was shot in the leg, Berber said, and officers applied a tourniquet to stop the bleeding until medical aid arrived. He also was taken to a hospital but his injuries were not considered critical.
Berber said neither victim was able to give officers a statement because “it was paramount they be seen by a physician.”
Officers learned the two victims were outside in front of the house where a family celebration was going on. Two vehicles drove up, Cooley’s news release said, and several occupants got out and confronted the two victims. During an argument, the men were shot.
The suspects fled the area in the two vehicles before police arrived. The vehicles are described as a 2000s black Honda and a smaller, box-style, silver SUV.
Ceres officers were canvassing the neighborhood to investigate, Berber said. Cooley said Sunday morning that investigators had not confirmed the identities of the suspects or determined a motive for the argument and shooting.
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to call Ceres Detective Sgt. Danny Vierra at 209-538-5672 or Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Tips also can be submitted via www.stancrimetips.org.
This story was originally published February 16, 2019 at 8:48 PM.
