Arrest made in Atwater shooting; victim hospitalized

A 35-year-old parolee has been arrested in a shooting reported Monday night in Atwater, police said.

Police responded to a call of shots fired at 6:17 p.m. in the 1400 block of Willow Avenue.

Officers found Austin Davis, 21, suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was flown to a hospital, where he remained in stable condition, according to police.

Officers gathered information and identified Matthew Cobbs as a possible suspect.

Detectives were called and Cobbs was contacted by phone. He later responded to the Atwater Police Department for an interview.

After the interview, Cobbs was arrested. Police said a firearm that may have been used during the shooting was also located.

Cobbs was booked into the Merced County Jail on suspicion of assault on a person with firearm, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, being a parolee in possession of ammunition and being a parolee in possession of a firearm.

Police initially said Monday that the victim was riding a motorcycle when he was shot. Officers later clarified the victim was standing by the motorcycle when the shooting happened.

This story was originally published February 16, 2015 at 8:47 PM with the headline "Arrest made in Atwater shooting; victim hospitalized."