Man killed at Hilmar diner identified, Merced County deputies seek person-of-interest
Merced County Sheriff’s detectives are investigating the homicide of a man reported Sunday evening at a Hilmar restaurant.
Details are preliminary.
Deputy Daryl Allen said deputies responded at about 7:15 p.m. to the Hot Rod Diner in the 8100 block of Lander Avenue for a report of a shooting.
Deputies arrived and found the victim, Jaspar Gray, 38, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Allen said a preliminary investigation determined there was an argument between Gray and suspect inside the restaurant. At some point during the dispute the suspect pulled a gun, shooting the victim twice, Allen said.
As of Monday morning, Allen said detectives were still diligently working the case. “Our detectives have not gone home for the night,” Allen said.
Later Monday, Allen said deputies identified a person-of-interest in the case: 29-year-old Dominick Jeffery Rufo. Allen said deputies “definitely want to talk to” Rufo about the incident, but he has not been named a suspect.
Brandy Bettencourt-Costa, 32, is wanted for questioning in regards to the homicide, according to a Merced County Sheriff’s Office social media post on Tuesday. Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is asked to contact the Merced County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Bureau at 209-385-7472.
Allen said the restaurant was packed with people during the shooting and there were many witnesses present. Deputies are asking anyone with information to call dispatch at (209) 385-7445.
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The case was the second homicide reported in Merced County over a three day period.
On Friday the Merced County Sheriff’s Office received a call after a body of an adult male was found along a canal in the area of Palm Avenue near Denton and Leak roads at 12:53 p.m., near Dos Palos, Allen said.
No additional details about that death were available Monday.
This story was originally published September 20, 2021 at 8:33 AM.