Arrest made in fatal shooting of security guard outside Turlock bar
Turlock police have made an arrest in a fatal shooting of a Grand Cru security guard that took place behind the downtown bar in January.
Robert Morgan, 31, was shot Jan. 15 following a confrontation with a group of patrons inside the bar. While Morgan was off-duty that night, he stepped in to assist his co-workers, according to Turlock police.
Security moved the group outside, where Morgan was in a physical fight with one of the men near the rear of the neighboring bar the Udder Place. A person in a dark sedan got out and fired multiple gunshots at Morgan, killing him.
Turlock police identified the alleged shooter as 23-year-old Alejandro Rosales Ortuno and obtained a warrant for his arrest, according to a press release.
He was arrested Wednesday during a traffic stop in Los Banos, where two homes also were searched and evidence was collected related to the investigation, said Sgt. Mike Parmley. The homes were in the 200 block of Wisteria Avenue and the 2300 block of Rock Creek Drive, and Ortuno was pulled over as he left the Rock Creek home.
He is being held in the Stanislaus County jail without bail.
Parmley would not say if there are any outstanding suspects related to the case.
Morgan’s homicide was the second in a 24-hour period in downtown Turlock.
The night before, 21-year-old Romeo Portillo was killed and another man was shot near Market Street and South Broadway, about 400 feet from where Morgan was killed.
No one has been arrested in that homicide, which remains under investigation, Parmley said.
The Turlock Police Department asks that anyone with information about the Feb. 15 homicide call Detective Raul Garcia at 209-664-7314. Information also may be left on the Police Department’s tip line, 209-668-5550, ext. 6780, or emailed to tpdtipline@turlock.ca.us.
The Police Department is an active participant in the Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers program. Callers can leave an anonymous tip by calling 209-521-4636 and may be eligible for a cash reward.
This story was originally published March 2, 2023 at 2:21 PM.
