Atwater police seek help in shooting

Atwater police on Tuesday asked for the public’s help identifying a man who opened fire over the weekend in a residential neighborhood, striking one man in the leg and narrowly missing a child.

Police responded just after 4:30 p.m. Sunday after receiving reports of more than a dozen gunshots fired in the 2900 block of Secretariat Drive in Atwater, Lt. Samuel Joseph said.

“This appears to be a gang-related shooting,” Joseph said in a telephone interview.

Officers found Martin Gutierrez, 19, suffering from a gunshot wound to his leg. Gutierrez was located about a block from the scene of the shooting. He refused to speak with investigators and was described by police as “uncooperative.”

Gutierrez was taken to a hospital, where he was treated and later released, police said.

Investigators found 13 shell casings from a .45-caliber handgun at the scene. One vehicle and two homes were struck during the incident, including one with the 11-year-old inside. Police said evidence collected at the scene indicated that at least one round narrowly missed the child.

Joseph said it was fortunate there were no serious injuries.

Police believe the shooter was on foot during the attack and said there were no reports of any vehicles seen fleeing the area.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Atwater police Detective Anthony Cardoza at (209) 357-6394. Tips are confidential and callers can remain anonymous.

This story was originally published January 20, 2015 at 12:09 PM with the headline "Atwater police seek help in shooting."