Escalon police search for suspect in death of man after bar fight

The Escalon Police Department is searching for a homicide suspect after an altercation left a man dead Saturday.

Police are asking the public’s help in locating Rocky Overturf, 26, of Escalon.

Authorities said Overturf and the victim, 36-year-old Aaron Messick of Escalon, got in an argument early Saturday at the Valley Inn in Escalon. Overturf left the bar in a dark-colored vehicle, police said, and Messick walked out the rear of the bar.

Overturf drove to the rear of the Valley Inn and confronted Messick as he came out, police said.

Overturf hit Messick, causing him to fall and strike his head on the ground, police said. Messick died as a result of his injuries.

A photo of Overturf released by police shows him with a beard and mustache, but witnesses reported he now is clean-shaven.

Anyone who knows Overturf’s whereabouts or was a witness to this incident is asked to contact Detective Anthony Hardgraves with the Escalon Police Department at 209-838-7093.

This story was originally published November 21, 2016 at 7:26 AM with the headline "Escalon police search for suspect in death of man after bar fight."