Additional details released about investigation into shooting at Atwater apartments

Atwater police have released additional details surrounding a reported shooting at an apartment complex and a gunshot victim who arrived at the police station on Monday.

The Atwater Police Department Dispatch received multiple calls around 5 p.m. Monday, reporting a shooting in the 2800 block of Secretariat Avenue, according to an Atwater Police Department news release.

At the same time the shooting was reported, the department received reports that a person suffering from a gunshot wound requested assistance in front of the Atwater Police Department and City Hall building located at 750 Bellevue Road, about a mile from the shooting scene.

Officers responded to both locations and contacted a man and woman in front of City Hall. According to police, the man was suffering from a gunshot wound to the back and was flown to a Modesto-area hospital for treatment. Police said the man is in stable condition.

Authorities said the officers responding to the Secretariat Avenue location found evidence of a shooting in the parking lot of the apartment complex. A firearm and multiple shell casings were collected as evidence. Police said it appears about 10 shots were fired at the location with several of the rounds hitting an apartment in the complex. No other injuries were reported.

Police determined both the Secretariat Avenue and Bellevue Road incidents are connected and said there is information that the shooting was related to narcotics activity at the apartment complex, according to the release.

The man who was located with the gunshot wound has been identified by police as being involved in the Secretariat shooting. Police said they will request charges from the Merced County District Attorney’s Office for being a felon in possession of a firearm and shooting at an inhabited dwelling.

Authorities said no arrests have been made at this time.

Police continue to investigate the incidents and as anyone with information related to the case to contact the Atwater Police Department at 209-357-6384 and ask for Detective-Sgt. Brum or Det. Vargas.