Man killed in Atwater shooting identified by Merced County Coroner

The Merced County Sheriff Coroner’s Office has identified a man killed in a shooting which also injured a 2-year-old child in Atwater on Friday, as 26-year-old Francisco Hurtado, according to Deputy Michael Domingue.

Atwater officers responded around midnight Friday to the 100 block of Castle Drive for a report of a subject down and shots fired. Arriving officers located the man with multiple gunshot wounds and after attempting lifesaving measures, he was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene.

A 2-year-old child also sustained a gunshot wound to the lower leg. Police said the child was transported to a hospital for treatment of what appeared to be a non-life-threatening injury. According to Atwater Police Chief Michael Salvador, it appears the shooting occurred outside of a residence and at this time it is unknown what the victim was doing at the time of the shooting.

Salvador said the department is in the early stages of the investigation and no possible motive has been determined at this time. No suspects have been identified or arrested in connection with the deadly shooting.

Police ask anyone with information regarding the incident to contact the Atwater Police Department at 209-357-6384 and ask to speak with Detective-Sgt. Dave Sarginson.