The Turlock Police Department has released new details about the shooting late Monday night that ended the life of a 38-year-old man, including that he was approached by a significant number of people moments before he was gunned down.
The police department identified the homicide victim as 38-year-old Oscar Peralta of Turlock.
Peralta was gunned down Monday night near the intersection of Starr and N. Denair avenues.
Peralta was out walking around 11:30 p.m. Monday when he was approached by a large group of people on foot, said Turlock Police spokesperson Officer Mayra Lewis. One of the individuals in the group opened fire and shot Peralta multiple times. It’s unknown at this time what sparked the shooting
The police department received multiple calls reporting shots had been fired in the area. The first officers to arrive at the scene found Peralta with multiple gunshot wounds. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died of his injuries.
Investigators believe the shooting maybe gang-related, though they are investigating all possibilities, Lewis said.
“We do believe this was an isolated incident and there is no threat to the community,” Lewis said.
The fatal shooting came at the conclusion of a night that saw three other drive-by shootings reported, one of which happened on Starr Avenue about an hour and a half before the fatal shooting. In that incident a subject fired several shots at a fence before leaving in a dark four-door vehicle, Lewis said. Casings were recovered from the scene.
The other two drive-by shootings were reported in the 3400 block of Golf Road and the 400 block of Bernell Avenue.
“Investigators are trying to determine if any of the drive-by shootings are related to the homicide,” Lewis said.
Peralta leaves behind a wife and four sons. A Go Fund Me account has been established to help cover funeral expenses. The account is accessible at http://www.gofundme.com/vmvdu8.
Anyone with information regarding the homicide is asked to contact Detective Frank Navarro at 668-5550 ext. 6619.
The Turlock Police Department is an active participant in the Crime Stoppers Program. Callers can leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at 521-4636 and may be eligible for a cash reward.
