Grandmother, mother and infant identified as victims in Modesto triple homicide
Three generations of a Modesto family were killed in a stabbing attack that police say ended with the arrest of a 28-year-old suspect after a search and standoff in the city’s airport neighborhood.
A family fundraiser and photographs shared publicly identified the victims as Silvia Nuñez, 54, her daughter, Fabiola Gonzalez, 23, and baby Mateo Gonzalez.
“Our family is experiencing a heartbreaking loss that words cannot adequately express,” the fundraiser states.
The fundraiser describes Silvia as “a loving grandmother whose kindness and strength touched everyone around her,” Fabiola as “a devoted mother, daughter, and loved one who brought joy and love to those fortunate enough to know her,” and Mateo as “an innocent child whose life was taken far too soon.”
Photos shared through the fundraiser show Silvia and Fabiola together, as well as baby Mateo wrapped in a blanket.
Modesto police were dispatched at about 9:25 a.m. Thursday to the 1600 block of Monterey Avenue for a reported disturbance near Orville Wright Elementary School.
When officers arrived, they found a 23-year-old woman suffering from multiple stab wounds. She died at the scene, according to police.
As officers searched the residence, they discovered two additional victims: a 54-year-old woman and an infant child. The woman died at the scene, while the baby was transported to a hospital, where he later died, police said.
A second child, estimated to be about 4 years old, was found inside the home and taken to a hospital for medical evaluation.
Police said investigators believe suspect Joaquin Escoto, 28, shared a child with one of the victims.
Early in the investigation, officers established a perimeter after receiving information that the suspect remained in the area. Modesto Police Department’s Hostage Negotiation Team, SWAT team and Investigations Division responded to assist.
Because of the ongoing search, Orville Wright Elementary School was placed on lockdown. Students were later relocated to La Loma Junior High School while officers continued their operation.
Police later located Escoto hiding inside a nearby residence. He was taken into custody without incident.
As of Friday, police had not released additional information regarding a motive, the suspect’s relationship to all three victims, whether Escoto lived at the home, or whether there had been prior police contacts involving the residence.
The family’s fundraiser says the tragedy has left relatives struggling to cope with both emotional and financial burdens.
“In a single moment, generations of love, memories, and dreams for the future were taken from us,” the fundraiser states.
The fundraiser had raised more than $12,000 by Friday morning toward funeral expenses, counseling services and support for family members affected by the killings.
The investigation remains ongoing.
