Atwater police release name of homicide victim, suspect

Atwater police on Wednesday released the name of the man who was shot and killed outside a city park and the name of the man arrested in connection with the slaying.

Richard Valentine, 27, was shot and killed around 5:30 p.m. Monday in the 1200 block of Park Street, police Lt. Samuel Joseph said.

Atwater police on Tuesday arrested David J. Lastra, 35, who was booked into the Merced County Jail on suspicion of murder, being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm without an identification number, conspiracy and possession of a high-capacity magazine, according to booking records.

Police have not commented on many details of the case, including a motive for the violence.

Lastra’s criminal history includes a conviction in 2013 for assault with a deadly weapon, according to Merced Superior Court records.

He remains in custody without bail.

This story was originally published October 21, 2015 at 3:37 PM with the headline "Atwater police release name of homicide victim, suspect."