Five in custody after shots fired in west Modesto

Five young men were in custody late Wednesday afternoon after two groups exchanged gunfire at Mark Twain Park on California Avenue west of Emerald Avenue in Modesto. The park is adjacent to Mark Twain Junior High School.

Around 4:50 p.m., officers responded to a report of shots fired at the park, said Modesto police Sgt. David Mullins. A witness reported two men were sitting at a picnic table and bench near California Avenue when a white Chevrolet Yukon approached, heading east.

Shots were fired from the Yukon toward the men, who fled deeper into the park on foot while returning fire, Mullins said. Officers captured the two men who were sitting in the park. They also spotted the Yukon and stopped the vehicle not far away, on South Emerald Avenue in front of Franklin Elementary School. Three men from the vehicle were taken into custody, but another one fled on foot and, as of about 6 p.m., had not been apprehended.

No shell casings were found on California Avenue where the Yukon occupants opened fire, Mullins said, but that may just indicate the gun used in the attack is a revolver. No weapon was recovered from the Yukon, he said, but it may have been taken by the occupant who fled.

The men in custody all appear to be between the ages of 18 and 22, Mullins said, and some have gang affiliations. No one was wounded in the gunbattle.

This story was originally published June 8, 2016 at 6:35 PM with the headline "Five in custody after shots fired in west Modesto."