Three shot – one dead – after shooting at north Modesto apartment complex

One person died and two others were injured in a shooting Friday night in north Modesto, authorities said.

The shooting occurred just after 8 p.m. at Standiford Court Apartments on the southwest corner of Standiford Avenue and Colonial Drive, according to Heather Graves, spokeswoman for the Modesto Police Department.

Two of the victims were taken to a nearby hospital, where they were being treated for multiple gunshot wounds.

Graves said one suspect fled on foot, but could not confirm if there were any more.

There was no immediate description or ages of the suspect, the male victims or what their relationships might have been. Graves said it was not immediately known if the victims – or suspect – lived at the complex.

She said the shooting took place in apartment’s courtyard. The body of the deceased was found on the narrow walkway just to the south of the complex’s center courtyard.

Joseph Amiri, who lives across the street, said he was barbecuing when he heard four gunshots. He initially thought they were fireworks.

“Then after I realized the police cars were coming this way, I knew it was serious,” he said.

Several units headed to north Modesto, and there was a report that a suspect was seen heading toward Tully Road.

Two squad cars were in the busy shopping center at Tully and Standiford that house Raley’s Supermarket and McDonald’s, among other businesses.

Firefighters with the Modesto Fire Department also were called to the scene to check the roof area for a possible weapon, according to Battalion Chief Randy Anderson.

Colonial Drive was cordoned off and traffic was slow along Standiford as people drove slowly by to check out the scene.

Detectives and crime technicians were working into the night.

Amiri said he was surprised by the incident because we “haven’t had much trouble around here.”

It was the second homicide this week in Modesto.

On Wednesday night, a man was found shot to death on the side of Olivero Road in the south part of the city. That homicide is being investigated by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department.

This story was originally published August 21, 2015 at 9:18 PM with the headline "Three shot – one dead – after shooting at north Modesto apartment complex."