Update: Police identify victim in second Modesto-area homicide committed Saturday
Modesto police are investigating a fatal shooting committed shortly before midnight Saturday.
The victim was 44-year-old Modesto resident Morse West, also known as Holly West, Police Department spokeswoman Sharon Bear said Sunday evening. He died at the scene.
The shooting was in the area of Martin and Clayton avenues, southwest of Orangeburg Avenue and Carver Road. From Google Maps, it looks to be an area with a residential and commercial mix.
“Preliminary findings suggest that this shooting was an isolated incident,” Bear said in a text message to The Bee.
Any witnesses with information on the investigation are urged to contact Detective Josh Grant at grantj@modestopd.com or Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Tips also can be submitted via www.stancrimetips.org.
Saturday night’s incident was the second Modesto-area homicide of the day. Stanislaus County sheriff’s detectives arrested a man, Zachary Morris, on suspicion of killing his mother early Saturday morning in the 800 block of Inyo Avenue in the Bret Harte area, Sgt. Luke Schwartz said.
This story was originally published October 1, 2023 at 9:04 AM.
