Friday, Sep. 07, 2012

Shooting victim remains hospitalized, police find bullet-riddled car parked

A man remains hospitalized after being shot in the chest Tuesday night, police said.

The Los Banos Police Department responded to the intersection of Alberta Street and Hawthorne drive at 10:48 p.m. after receiving several reports of gunshots in the area.

When police arrived they found a handgun at the scene, but no victim.

Officials at Memorial Hospital, Los Banos subsequently notified law enforcement that a male, 26, arrived in the emergency room in critical condition suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest.

Police said they located the victim's car riddled with bullets in the hospital parking lot.

The gunshot victim was airlifted to a Modesto area hospital, where he is now reportedly in stable condition.

Police said the victim has been unable to provide a statement about the incident.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Detective Sgt. Elias Reyes at (209) 827-7070 ext. 147.

To leave an anonymous crime tip call 209-827-7070 Ext. 288. If you have access to a computer and the Internet you can also leave an anonymous tip at the police department's webpage at www.losbanos.org. At the bottom of the "Contact" page simply click on the "report graffiti and other crime" link or visit the Merced Area Crime Stoppers by telephone at 1-855-725-2420, or at www.mercedareacrimestoppers.org.