MODESTO – Family of one of the victims of Friday’s shooting on Semple Street held a vigil over the weekend and established a fundraiser for the unexpected funeral costs.
Friends and relatives gathered in front of the home late Saturday afternoon with candles and flowers to honor the victims who were gunned down in front of a home Friday night. Brandon Wheeler was identified as one of the victims who lost his life.
“Brandon was a loved son, brother and dad,” the organizer of the fundraiser said. “He leaves behind his three kids and family and friends who all loved him dearly. He truly was an amazing man, he would give the shirt off of his back and the shoes off his feet. I could name several times he came home barefoot for this exact reason.”
The shooting happened on Semple Street just north of Jones Street Friday night shortly before 9:00pm. Three people were reported shot in front of the home. Police and medics arrived quickly to provide care for the injured. They were rushed to a hospital where Brandon and another victim passed away. The third victim is expected to survive.
Officials with the Modesto Police Department say detectives have been working hard on the case to find the individual or individuals responsible for the shooting. Authorities are encouraging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636 where callers can remain anonymous.
MODESTO – A driver found behind the wheel of a pickup truck that was identified as stolen was detained by police Sunday afternoon.
At about 3:00pm an officer with the Modesto Police Department located the vehicle near Central Modesto. The pickup truck traveled south on Sunrise Avenue before turning onto East Roseburg. There, the truck came to a stop at the dead end of East Roseburg Avenue where officers initiated a traffic stop.
Additional officers responded to assist, and the driver surrendered without incident.
At time of publication there was no information available as to where the truck was stolen from.
EMPIRE – Two people were taken to a hospital, and a third was treated by paramedics after a shooting incident late Saturday night.
Deputies with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of Cameron Way in Empire for the report of a shooting incident. As deputies arrived, they located two victims with injuries. Those two individuals were taken by ambulance to a hospital for treatment.
A third ambulance was called to the scene for another victim, but it appeared that person was treated by medical personnel and released at the scene.
Deputies examined the area for evidence. A crime scene technician took photographs at the scene.
There was no information regarding a suspect, or suspects at time of publication.
Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636 where callers can remain anonymous.
MODESTO – A motorcyclist was rushed to a hospital by ambulance Saturday night after a collision on the highway.
The crash happened shortly before 11:00pm on the southbound lanes of Highway 99 just south of the Briggsmore overpass. The collision appeared to have happened in the fast lane.
By 11:30 a tow truck was on scene removing the motorcycle. The extent of injuries was unclear at publication time, and the circumstances surrounding the crash were not yet available.