A gunman fired several shots into a Chrysler sedan that had parked in front of a home Sunday afternoon, wounding two people in the car, Modesto police said.
The wounds appear not to be life-threatening, Sgt. Brian Findlen said, adding that both victims were taken to the hospital.
Findlen said the man was shot several times and the woman suffered what appears to be a grazing wound. He said a second woman in the white and gray Chrysler Concorde was not injured. He said the three appear to be in their early 20s.
The shooting took place about 3:30 p.m. in the 400 block of Hackberry Avenue, near Enslen and Elk parks.
Norma Christian, who lives three doors from the shooting, said she was knitting in the kitchen and her husband was watching television when the gunfire started.
"We heard boom, boom, boom five times," she said. "I sat there stunned. My husband ran out the door and didn't see anything except two people get out of the car, yelling, 'Call the police.' "
The gunman is described as a thin black man, standing about 6 feet tall with a light complexion. He was wearing a multicolored, hooded sweat shirt and dark pants. He was armed with a handgun.
He may have fled on foot or may have escaped in a dark-colored minivan, police said.
"What we also believe is the suspect — the shooter in this case -- was on scene before the vehicle arrived," Findlen said. "Shortly after, he fired several rounds into the car."
The shots were fired through a window.
Police were working on identifying the three people in the car, their relationship to the home where the car stopped and a motive in the shooting.
After the shooting, neighbors stood outside their homes and watched police investigate. Christian said the woman who was wounded lives in the house where the car parked. She said that woman and the man walked out of the house when the ambulances arrived.
Police ask anyone with information about this shooting to call Modesto police at 572-9500 or Crime Stoppers at 521-4636. Tipsters can e-mail tips through the Crime Stoppers Web site, www.modestopolice.com/CrimeStoppers, or text tips to CRIMES (274637) by typing "Tip704" plus a message. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and are eligible for a cash reward.
Bee staff writer Kevin Valine can be reached at kvaline@modbee.com or 578-2316.
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