Victim talks about Modesto shooting

A 40-year-old father of eight and his oldest daughter were shot by a man in a passing car while driving through a northeast Modesto neighborhood Friday evening, police said.

The victim, who asked not to be identified, said there has been an ongoing dispute between him and the suspect, whom Modesto police on Friday identified as 22-year-old Nicholas Villafana. He remains at large and is wanted on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.

Police were alerted to the shooting when the victims arrived at a hospital. Officers located the shooting scene at Keller Street and Falmouth Way, a few blocks north of Floyd Avenue.

The father said he was shot in the back of the head but his injuries were minor enough that he was discharged from the hospital Saturday.

He believes the same bullet that struck him struck his 20-year-old daughter, hitting her right thumb and slowing the trajectory.

The injuries to her hand also were not severe, but she is eight months pregnant and remains hospitalized so doctors can monitor her and her unborn child, her father said.

He said his 4- and 6-year-old daughters, 7-year-old son and his wife were also in the car during the shooting but were not injured.

He said the ongoing dispute between him and the suspect began two years ago over $50.

This story was originally published May 30, 2015 at 6:00 PM with the headline "Victim talks about Modesto shooting."