Man shot on I Street in Los Banos; 'persons of interest' ID'd
LOS BANOS – A 35-year-old Los Banos man was shot around 12:30 p.m. Friday in the 600 block of I Street, the Police Department said.
Few details were immediately available as the investigation was getting underway Friday afternoon, Cmdr. Jason Hedden said.
“We’re still looking for witnesses and asking that anyone who saw anything or knows anything, we’d like them to contact us as soon as possible,” Hedden said. “We’re still very, very early in the investigation.”
The victim was identified by his family as David Contreras Sr., a father of three young children.
Detectives have identified Billy Ray Littlefield, 21, Carl William Littlefield, 20, and Peyton Garnica, 20, as persons of interest in the shooting. The three are believed to be driving a silver colored 2000 Toyota Corolla, California license number 7KWS097, according to Los Banos police.
No arrests have been made. Hedden said it was too early to comment on any possible motive for the attack.
“We know three were involved in some type of argument with the victim prior to the shooting,” Hedden said.
The victim was shot at least once in the upper body. He was flown to a Modesto hospital and expected to undergo emergency surgery, Hedden said.
An update on the victim’s condition was not immediately available.
“At this point, all I can really say is that this is an attempted homicide investigation,” Hedden said.
Sal Contreras, the victim’s father, said one of his son’s friend’s initially told him that David Contreras had been shot with a BB-gun, but when he arrived at the crime scene on I Street, officers told him it was more serious.
“I honestly don’t have any idea what’s happened. The police said he was shot and taken (to Modesto) and now we’re just waiting for the nurse to come tell us what’s happening in the surgery,” Sal Contreras said in a telephone interview.
Sal Contreras said he does not understand why anyone would want to shoot his son.
“He’s never been involved in any gangs. He’s never been a gang member,” he said. “I don’t know why this is happening.”
Contreras has three children, all under the age of 12, Sal Contreras said.
Sal Contreras said his son was still in surgery late Friday.
“We’re just hoping for the best for my son,” he said. “It’s all we can do right now, hope for the best.”
To leave an anonymous crime tip, call 209-827-7070, ext. 288, or go to www.losbanos.org. At the bottom of the “Contact” page, click on “report graffiti and other crime” or contact Merced Area Crime Stoppers at 855-725-2420 or www.mercedareacrimestoppers.org.
This story was originally published November 27, 2015 at 3:42 PM with the headline "Man shot on I Street in Los Banos; 'persons of interest' ID'd."