Two arrests made in Atwater shooting

Two men were arrested Friday in connection with Wednesday's shooting of a 32-year-old man in Atwater, police said.

Arturo Galvan, 29, and Jesus Delgago-Ambriz, 27, were taken into custody after California Highway Patrol officers spotted the suspects' vehicle in the Madera area, according to Atwater Police Lt. Sam Joseph.

After the shooting happened Wednesday, Atwater police had broadcast a "be on the lookout" announcement for the suspects' vehicle, Joseph said. Inside the suspects' vehicle police also located two guns. Joseph said witnesses identified Galvan as a shooter in the case. Galvan gave CHP officers a false name after they stopped his vehicle, Joseph said.

Galvan faces charges of attempted murder, while DelGado-Ambriz faces accessory charges.

Joseph said detectives David Brum, Anthony Cardoza and Bill Richards had been working diligently on the case for the past two days. The shooting was reported around 7 p.m. Wednesday at a mobile home in the 5000 block of Crest Road.

When paramedics arrived, the victim was found two gunshot wounds to his upper chest, at least two to his left arm and one to his chin. His injuries were life-threatening and he was flown to a Modesto hospital, where he remains, Joseph said.

Inside the victim's residence were several shell casings and puddles of blood. Witnesses at the scene told police they heard several gunshots coming from the trailer before seeing a red Chevy S-10 pickup leave the residence at a high rate of speed, Joseph said.

The motive remains unclear, but police said the incident doesn't appear to be gang-related. Joseph said police think the victim had been consuming alcohol with at least one of the suspects and an argument may have led to the shooting.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Detective David Brum at (209) 357-6394.

City Editor Victor A. Patton can be reached at (209) 385-2431 or vpatton@mercedsun-star.com.