The officers that fired the shots that killed a suspect during a drug bust in Turlock Tuesday night were with the Modesto Police Department, but their names are not being released at this time.
The two Modesto Police officers were assigned to the Stanislaus Drug Enforcement Agency, which was conducting the narcotics investigation.
“At this point in time the names are not being released due to it being an ongoing investigation and we are still gathering all of the facts,” said Turlock Police spokesperson Officer Steve Rodrigues.
The shooting resulted in the death of Omar Villagomez, 21, of Orosi. His passenger, Juan Bulgara, 27, of Farmersville also was injured in the incident, though he was not struck by any gunfire, Rodrigues said.
No law enforcement member was injured during the incident.
The SDEA attempted to make an arrest Tuesday night shortly after 7 p.m. in the parking lot at 2323 W. Main Street. The parking lot is home to the Turlock Regal Theatre, the Turlock Poker Room, Starbucks, and other eateries and retail businesses.
During the attempted arrest, Villagomez drove the Ford pickup he was driving into some of the unmarked undercover police vehicles. The officers fired at Villagomez, resulting in his fatality.
Bulgara was injured from debris in the collision, said Rodrigues. He was treated at a local hospital and later released into police custody. He was booked into the Stanislaus County Jail on charges of possession of methamphetamine with the intent for sales, transportation of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance while armed and possession of a loaded and concealed firearm.
Bulgara remains in custody at the Stanislaus County Jail. He has a pretrial hearing scheduled in Stanislaus County Superior Court on Wednesday.
The SDEA is comprised of officers from the Turlock Police Department, Modesto Police Department, Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, Stanislaus County Probation Department and the Drug Enforcement Agency.
Anyone who has any information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Frank Navarro at 664-7319.
