Atwater man shot in front of home

An Atwater man was shot in the hip during the weekend while standing in front of his home with a teenage friend, police reported Monday.

Officers were called to the home in the 600 block of Elm Street at 11:45 p.m. Sunday after witnesses reported hearing nine or 10 gunshots.

The wounded man was taken to Mercy Medical Center by relatives. The teenager told police he was also shot at but was not injured.

The juvenile admitted to being a gang member, police said. Both victims were standing in front of the home when the shots were fired and ran into the back yard during the incident.

Witnesses told police there were two shooters, both dressed in dark, hooded sweatshirts. Police said they believe the shooters used .38-caliber or .357 magnum revolvers, but could not locate any shell casings at the scene.

According to a witness, the shooters drove a blue car and pulled up to the corner of Drakeley Avenue and High Street. The car parked on the north side of Drakeley facing west toward High Street.

The two people got out of the car and at least one of them had a handgun with him, the witness reported.

Police said the pair walked north toward the corner of High and Elm Streets, where the shooting happened. The juvenile victim told police the shooting may have been gang-related and that the shooters drove a blue Chevrolet Impala.

Anyone with information should call the Atwater police at (209) 357-6396.

Reporter Ramona Giwargis can be reached at (209) 385-2477 or rgiwargis@mercedsunstar.com.