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Two arrests have been made in the Monday shooting of a 17-year-old male at Castle Airport.
Although a possible motive remains under investigation, Merced County Sheriff's deputies believe the shooting was probably gang-related.
Winton residents Mario Ortiz, 18, and Rance Johnson, 19, were taken into custody near Bellevue Road and Santa Fe Avenue. The pair allegedly shot the teen around 2 p.m. in the 3000 block of Hospital Road, according to Deputy Tom MacKenzie, sheriff's spokesman.
Merced Sun-Star - Merced County sheriff’s deputy Joe Sanchez, far left, stands next to suspect Mario Ortiz, while deputy Brandon Soto, far right, guards suspect Rance Johnson, as Detective Alex Barba, middle, calls for instructions and waits for witnesses to drive by to see if they recognized the two handcuffed suspects in front of the Castle Park mini storage units on Bellevue in Atwater on Monday.
The victim was walking home from school when he was shot twice, once in the left side of his stomach and once in the right leg, MacKenzie said.
After deputies and Atwater police responded to the scene, the victim was flown to a Modesto hospital, where he remains in stable condition. Witnesses saw the injured boy stumble about 10 yards until he collapsed in the grass.
Ortiz and Johnson fled on foot across Santa Fe Avenue when they were stopped by Atwater Police Department and agents with the Merced/Mariposa HIDTA Task Force, who happened to be in the area at the time of the shooting.
After being detained for questioning, the men were named as suspects Monday night and booked into the Merced County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder with gang enhancements.
MacKenzie said it's unknown whether the suspects knew the victim, although he said they've "had prior contacts."
The weapon used in the shooting, a large caliber handgun, could not be located on either suspect. Investigators used Nitro, a gun powder detection dog, to locate the weapon. The handgun was found about 30 yards away from the scene, hidden under an oleander bush and covered with dirt and branches, MacKenzie said.
The suspects are being held in lieu of $550,000 bail.
Investigators are asking anyone with information about the shooting to call (209) 385-7444. Callers can remain anonymous.
Reporter Victor A. Patton can be reached at (209) 385-2431 or vpatton@mercedsun-star.com.
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