Atwater police seek public’s help in homicide case

Atwater police are struggling to find cooperation from the public in a gang-related homicide from earlier this month.

Matthew Tucker, 22, was shot and killed May 10. He was found in the 2300 block of Atwater Boulevard, but the attack may have happened on Olive Avenue, according to the Police Department.

Investigators believe his death was gang-related, describing Tucker as a “known gang member.” No arrests have been made, and no descriptions of the shooter have been released.

Lt. Samuel Joseph said it’s common for people not to cooperate in gang cases.

Officers have declined to comment on any evidence collected during the investigation.

“The detectives are following up on several leads and looking into some possibilities,” Joseph said. “But we would appreciate any information we could get from the public. People can call, tell us what they know and don’t even have to leave their name.”

Tucker’s death was the first homicide in Atwater since 2013.

Atwater reported zero homicides last year, which was the deadliest year in Merced County’s history with 32 violent deaths, officials said previously.

Eleven homicides have been reported this year in Merced County.

This story was originally published May 19, 2015 at 10:32 AM with the headline "Atwater police seek public’s help in homicide case."