Fatal victim in north Modesto apartment shooting identified

A 24-year-old Modesto man was identified as the fatal victim in Friday night’s shooting at a north Modesto apartment complex.

Augustin Chum died at the scene after a shooting broke out near the complex’s courtyard shortly after 8 p.m., according to Heather Graves, Modesto Police Department spokesman.

One other victim, Gerardo Espinoza-Castro, 23, of Stockton, also was shot multiple times. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was listed Saturday in stable condition.

Modesto police had reported there was one other victim from the incident at the complex on the southwest corner of Standiford Avenue and Colonial Drive. Officers believed that a man suffering from gunshot wounds who arrived at a hospital via a private vehicle was involved. However, it was later determined he was not involved.

There was little information about possible suspects and what led to the shooting at in the courtyard of Standiford Court Apartments.

Graves said Saturday night nobody had been detained or arrested, it was not known if there was more than one suspect, whether the victims lived at the complex or anything about a possible motive. There only was a mention that there were several people in the courtyard when the shooting started.

Detectives and crime scene technicians worked into the night gathering evidence, processing the scene and talking to witnesses, Graves said.

After the report of the shots, several police units were seen heading to the area, and there was a report that a suspect was jumping fences and heading toward Tully Road.

Two police squad cars were parked at the busy shopping center at Tully and Standiford that has a Raley’s supermarket and McDonald’s, among other businesses.

Modesto firefighters also were called to check the roof for a possible weapon, according to Battalion Chief Randy Anderson.

Back at the crime scene, Colonial Drive was cordoned off and traffic was slow along Standiford on Friday night as people drove slowly by to check out the scene.

Chum’s body was discovered on a pathway a few feet south of the complex’s courtyard. Soon after, red crime scene tape was put up, and detectives began rolling in.

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.

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

It was Modesto’s second homicide in three days.

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

Anyone with information about Friday night’s shooting is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636. They can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Tipsters may also text information to Crime Stoppers at 274637. Just type “TIP704” along with your message.

This story was originally published August 22, 2015 at 8:01 PM with the headline "Fatal victim in north Modesto apartment shooting identified."