Modesto police release photo of suspect vehicle in fatal drive-by shooting at barbecue
Homicide detectives have released a photo of a vehicle they believe was used in a deadly drive-by shooting in west Modesto several months ago. The investigators say the vehicle may be connected to another drive-by shooting that occurred a few days later in the same area.
The Modesto Police Department released the photo of the suspect vehicle, hoping the public could help investigators find the suspect vehicle and those responsible for the fatal shooting.
Alonzo Watkins, 22, of Modesto was killed in the June 12 shooting in the 300 block of Colorado Avenue. Another man was struck by gunfire; he was treated at a local hospital and later released, police officials have said.
Witnesses told police the gunfire came from a newer-model white SUV.
Since then, the homicide detectives have reviewed evidence and followed up on investigative leads. They obtained a photo of the suspect vehicle from security camera video. The detectives believe the vehicle is a newer model Nissan sport utility vehicle with tinted windows.
The detectives also believe the Nissan SUV may be connected to the other drive-by shooting, which occurred June 16 in the area of South and Colorado avenues, about two blocks south of the incident four days earlier.
About 7:30 p.m. June 12, Watkins was among a small group of people that had gathered in a home’s front yard for a barbecue on Colorado Avenue, just south of Tuolumne Boulevard and west of Modesto Municipal Golf Course.
Detectives said shots rang out from a vehicle driving through the area. Watkins and the other man were hit by the gunfire. Watkins remained hospitalized until he died June 19.
The other drive-by shooting occurred about 7 p.m. No one was struck by gunfire in that shooting, and a witness told police a white SUV left the area shortly after the shooting.
Police officials ask anyone who can identify the vehicle in the photo or has suspect information to call contact Detective Derrick Letsinger at (209) 342-9667 or Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636. Tipsters can email through the Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers website, stancrimetips.com. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
This story was originally published December 30, 2019 at 11:22 AM.