Turlock shooting suspects remain elusive

TURLOCK -- Police continue to look for two men in connection with the Sunday shooting death of Roger Villanueva, 26, an aspiring rap artist.

Alvaro "Tito" Saldana, 23, and Raymond "Raymo" Gutierrez Jr., 28, both of Turlock, are believed to have lured Villa- nueva from a barbecue to the back yard of an abandoned Angelus Street home before shooting him multiple times, said Turlock police Detective Brandon Bertram.

An official at the Stanislaus County coroner's office said Villanueva died from "multiple gunshot wounds to the head, neck, back and left lower extremities."

Police say they believe Saldana and Gutierrez fled the scene in a white 2005 Nissan Altima, California license plate 5RTD155. They are connected to the Norteño street gang and are considered armed and dangerous, Bertram said.

Villanueva was an aspiring rap artist under the name Smoke da Villain who performed the Friday before his death at Sidelines Pub & Grill in Modesto, said his promoter, Dennis Piere of Street Fam Music Group.

"He was a strong rapper and could have really represented the Central Valley," Piere said.

The party Sunday was held in memory of rapper Moses Rodriguez Jr., who was shot and killed in an October 2006 double homicide on Kerley Lane in Turlock.

Close to 100 people gathered at Rodriguez's grave in Turlock Memorial Park on Sunday to celebrate what would have been the 28th birthday of the father of two. The party then moved to the 200 block of Angelus, where Rodriguez's family barbecued in the carport of their apartment building.

Witnesses said Saldana and Villanueva agreed to go into the back yard of 230 Angelus Street "to settle something," Bertram said, then Gutierrez got involved and gunshots erupted.

Villanueva's mother, Debbie Dunuan, said her son had had problems with the two men for nearly 12 years, since the family moved to Turlock from Milpitas, near San Jose. Over the years, Villanueva had countless fistfights with them, she said. Villanueva had problems with Saldana and Gutierrez at a Hilmar wedding two months ago that ended in a fistfight, his mother and fiancée said.

Saldana and Gutierrez have had several brushes with the law.

Saldana was convicted of a carjacking in 2004 and was sentenced to three years in state prison, but was credited with more than 500 days of time served, according to Stanislaus County Superior Court records. In November, he was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm while on parole, but the charge was dismissed.

Saldana was the victim of a 2000 drive-by shooting on Angelus Street in which he and three other teenagers and a 20-year-old were injured by a shotgun blast.

Gutierrez was listed in The Bee in January as a car theft suspect. In March, he was arrested on suspicion of driving on a suspended license when his car was stopped after reports of shots being fired from his vehicle. His passenger was booked on a parole violation.

Police, friends and family said Villanueva never had any trouble with the law and was working toward a music career.

His fiancée, Irma Bernal, 22, said he recently had moved to Gilbert, Ariz., to start a family and to attend the Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences. He was in town to visit family and perform a few Modesto concerts when he was shot, she said.

"He wanted to get out of here," Bernal said, fighting back tears. "He wanted to grow up. He wanted to have a family. He wanted to do better for himself and go to school. He wanted to go somewhere in life."

Internet tributes left on Villanueva's MySpace page sound similar notes:

"It was just a couple days ago you were at our house. You were so happy. You were talking about how you were getting married and how you and your lady were going to start school. We were so proud of you! You really wanted to change your life around for the better. We will miss you!" one friend wrote.

Police said 75 to 100 people were at the Angelus Street party, including families and children, when the shooting broke out.

"Many people have said anonymously these guys did it and were involved with gangs," Bertram said, "but no one will go beyond that because of intimidation and fear for their safety."

On Angelus Street on Friday, neighbors said they heard the shots, grabbed their children and ran inside. Aside from that, they had nothing to say.

All that was left in the abandoned back yard were remnants of a makeshift memorial: dried flowers, a melted white candle and a broken CD case.

Bee assistant librarian Karen Aiello contributed to this report.

Turlock police ask anyone with information on the men's whereabouts to call Detective Bertram at 668-5550, ext. 6623 or CrimeStoppers at 521-4636. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.

Bee staff writer Michael R. Shea can be reached at mshea@modbee.com or 578-2391.

This story was originally published May 31, 2008 at 4:49 AM with the headline "Turlock shooting suspects remain elusive."