Update: Suspect shot by Modesto police at Dale Road retail complex has died
Modesto police have identified the suspect shot by an officer or officers Monday afternoon near Vintage Faire Mall and said he died from his wounds.
The shooting at Max Muscle Sports Nutrition, 3250 Dale Road, occurred about 1 p.m. The man shot was 40-year-old Jimmy Lee Rupe of Modesto.
An MPD news release says Rupe had multiple felony warrants for alleged lewd acts with a child and several additional felony warrants related to firearms charges. In mid-September, Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers posted on Facebook that Rupe “is currently wanted for Sexual Crimes Against a Child. His bail is $1,350,000. He could possibly be in the Modesto, Escalon or Everett Washington area.”
The MPD news release says, “This remains an active and ongoing investigation. A Community Briefing with additional details about this incident will be provided in the near future.” Asked what “near future” may mean, a Police Department spokesperson said it could be a couple of weeks.
The Police Department has not disclosed how many shots were fired, or by how many officers, the reason for the shooting and whether gunfire was exchanged. It also has not said why officers were dispatched to the store.
Muscle Max is in the same complex as Trader Joe’s.
The nutrition store shares a building with Velvet Grill & Creamery. An employee of Velvet Grill spoke with The Bee while the area was taped off for the investigation Monday.
“The cops came in and they warned us. They told us to get on the ground just in case any bullets went flying,” said Ethan Amesquita. “They told us to get behind cover, and then when the gunshots were over, they came in and told us to evacuate the building.”
About 11 employees were working at the restaurant, which was closed for the day, he said. Amesquita saw a few officers with riot shields enter through the rear of Muscle Max as other officers approached the front entrance.
The fast-food restaurant Wendy’s also was impacted by the incident. Though its dining room remained open, its drive-thru was closed.
Officer-involved shootings prompt three probes under state law. One is about the alleged crime that prompted the response. Another is whether officers followed department procedures. The district attorney’s office determines whether an officer should be prosecuted.
Modesto also has had a Community Police Review Board for nearly two years. It takes its own look at whether procedures were followed.
This story was originally published March 18, 2025 at 1:43 PM.
