Suspect detained after man fatally shot at Turlock motel
Police in Turlock are investigating the fatal shooting of a man early Monday at a motel near Highway 99. The incident appears to have been gang-related, authorities said.
Officers responded to a call of aggravated assault at 4:15 a.m., Turlock Police Sgt. Michael Parmley said in an interview at the Public Safety Center.
When police arrived at the Days Inn, they found evidence of a shooting and “a subject who had suffered gunshot wounds,” Parmley said. The man was taken to a local hospital, where he died during surgery.
Authorities have not positively identified the victim, but Parmley said he was an Hispanic man.
When officers arrived, an unharmed man was at the scene and taken in for questioning. He was later identified as Miguel Saldate, 20, from Ceres and was arrested and booked for attempted homicide and various other felony charges, according to a press release from the Turlock Police Department.
It was not clear whether Saldate or the victim was staying at the motel. The shooting took place on a second-floor walkway between two rooms, Parmley said.
“The preliminary investigation (indicates) that this is a gang-related shooting,” Parmley said.
Nicholas Osgood of Lewiston, Maine, said he is staying in the room next door to where the shooting occurred. Osgood said he heard at least 20 shots, and then heard someone say “Don’t die, don’t die.”
Osgood said he saw what looked like .22-caliber bullet casings outside of his room.
Turlock Police Detectives ask that anyone with information, to call Detective Timothy Redd at (209) 664-7325. You can also contact the Turlock Police Department’s Tip Line at (209) 668-5550 extension 6780 or email at tpdtipline@turlock.ca.us.
This story was originally published September 7, 2020 at 12:10 PM.
