The Federal Bureau of Investigations is taking another look at an unsolved Turlock homicide and is asking the public’s help in identifying three people of interest in the cold case.
A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered by the FBI for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the parties responsible for the death of Ninoos “Nick” Atoori on July 9, 2005.
Few leads have come from the investigation into Atoori’s death, but detectives are hoping someone can provide information about the three men seen at the scene of Atoori’s murder.
Atoori, 40, had moved from Turlock to Las Vegas, but was back in the area visiting family and friends. He was last seen by his family around 10 p.m. July 8, 2005.
Around 12:30 a.m. July 9, 2005, emergency personnel were dispatched to an abandoned restaurant at 4905 N. Golden State Boulevard for a report of shooting. Atoori had sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.
A couple from Idaho had parked their big rig near the area and reported hearing multiple shots fired. When they looked in the direction of the shots they saw one man on the ground and another standing over him.
Two other men were seen at the location at the time of the homicide and departed from the parking lot in a white commercial van. They were both described as possibly being of Middle Eastern descent and had short, black hair. The descriptions of the two men matched that of two men involved in a separate verbal altercation with Atoori at Skewer’s restaurant at 906 J Street in Modesto in the weeks preceding the homicide. This previous altercation resulted in shots fired outside of the restaurant, according to the FBI.
The third man witnessed at the scene was standing over Atoori’s body. He was thought to be around 25 to 30 years at the time. He is about six feet tall and had short, black hair. He left on a black and orange Honda motorcycle. He did not wear a helmet and wore a leather jacket.
It is possible the three men were not responsible for Atoori’s death, but have information about the homicide.
The case continues to be investigated by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department, the Turlock Police Department and the FBI.
Information about the three persons of interest in the Atoori homicide case may be reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Sacramento Field Office, Modesto Resident Agency at https://tips.fbi.gov/ Tip Page or by calling 543-3259. Tips can also be made to Stanislaus County Crime Stoppers at https://www.tipsubmit.com/WebTips.aspx?AgencyID=704 or by calling 521-INFO (521-4636).
