Atwater police investigate after passenger apparently hit by gunfire from another car

Atwater police are investigating a shooting after a person in a vehicle was struck by gunfire that appeared to have come from another car.

Officers were dispatched to a report of a shooting in the 2300 block of Atwater Boulevard about 10:05 p.m. Wednesday, according to a post on the Atwater Police Department Facebook page.

Authorities said someone in what was described as a red 1990s Ford Mustang reportedly shot at two people in another vehicle. Police said a passenger was struck by gunfire and taken to a Modesto-area hospital for treatment of their injuries.

Police said they are not releasing the names of the driver and passenger inside the other vehicle at this time. According to police, the pair appeared to have just left the Sonic Drive-In restaurant on Bellevue Road when they were provoked by the driver of the Mustang, who followed the other vehicle, positioning his car behind theirs and shooting into it.

Authorities said no suspect has been identified in connection with the shooting.

Atwater police ask anyone with information regarding the incident, including a possible suspect description, to contact Det. Vierra at 209-357-6395. According to police, a caller’s name and other identifying information can remain confidential.

This story was originally published September 17, 2020 at 5:57 PM.