On the evening of April 11, 2023, 22-year-old Atwater resident Arturo Esquer was fatally shot in Modesto, California. Around 8:00 p.m., police responded to reports of a multi-vehicle collision near Sherwood Avenue and Rumble Road. Upon arrival, they discovered Esquer suffering from a gunshot wound. His vehicle had collided with another car, injuring its driver, and subsequently struck two parked cars before coming to a stop. Esquer was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators believe Esquer was shot while inside his vehicle in the vicinity of the crash. It remains unclear whether he was driving at the time of the shooting or if he attempted to flee after being wounded. The motive behind the shooting is still under investigation, and no suspects have been identified. Authorities have urged anyone with information about the incident to contact Detective Booza at [email protected] or reach out to Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636.
As of December 26, 2024, there have been no reported arrests or identified suspects in connection with Esquer's death. The case remains open, and the Modesto Police Department continues to seek information from the public to aid in their investigation. This incident is part of a broader trend in Modesto, where, despite a decline in overall homicide numbers, gun violence continues to be a significant concern.
