Video leads police to 2 Turlock men sought in shooting outside Livingston restaurant

Two Turlock men are being held in Merced County Jail in connection with an August shooting outside a live musical performance at a Livingston restaurant, police said.

Detectives believe that one of the performers, a 28-year-old Merced man, was the intended target, Livingston Police Sgt. Ray Fong said. No injuries were reported but a few vehicles were hit by gunfire.

Isaac Mendez, 20, and Manoel Moshikhanijenizeh, 19, were arrested in a 6 a.m. raid Sept. 4 at a Turlock home where officers also found two guns, an AR-15 and a 9mm handgun, believed to be used in the shooting.

According to Fong, the shooting happened about 8:45 p.m. Aug. 30 in a parking lot between the Mi Casa restaurant and Geneo’s Pizza. Over a dozen people were present for the music at Mi Casa.

The shooters were on foot and fired three to four shots. They left in a vehicle; police used video surveillance to get the license plate number, which led investigators to the home in the 800 block of Julian Street where the arrests were made in cooperation with Turlock police.

Livingston police worked with Modesto police on a related lead, but a search of a home on Haddon Avenue didn’t turn up guns and no arrests were made there.

According to Fong, the shooting is possibly gang-related and police are looking into another person as a possible suspect connected to the shooting.

According to jail records, Moshikhanijenizeh was booked into Merced County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder, assault with a machine gun assault weapon or rifle upon peace officer or firefighter, personal use of a firearm, shooting at inhabited dwelling building or occupied motor vehicle, intentional discharge with specific crime and special allegation use of a firearm. He remains in custody in lieu of $1.1 million bond. Mendez was booked on suspicion of attempted murder, possession of assault weapon and shooting at inhabited dwelling, building or occupied motor vehicle. He remains in custody in lieu of $750,000 bond.

This story was originally published September 9, 2020 at 6:12 PM.