Full Notification

Modesto, CA- Modesto Police detectives are investigating the fifth homicide of the year. The latest victim succumbed to his injuries yesterday after a brutal assault he suffered from on April 11th in southwest Modesto.

On Tuesday April 12th, at about 12:11 a.m., a Modesto Police officer was on patrol when he drove by the area of 4th Street and I Street and saw Jesse Guzman, a 53-year-old Modesto resident, lying near the sidewalk. Guzman was unconscious and non-responsive. He was found to be a victim of an assault, suffering from head trauma.

Guzman was transported to a nearby hospital were he was listed in critical condition. On April 14th, Guzman succumbed to his injuries, and now this investigation is being classified as a homicide. This is the fifth homicide of the year for the City of Modesto.

Investigators have learned Guzman was last seen by his family on Monday April 11th at about 11 p.m. Investigators are trying to determine the events that led to the assault. All indicators are that Guzman was the innocent victim of a robbery gone bad. Guzman was a family man with no criminal history. He leaves behind a wife and four children ages 22, 20, 14, and 11.

Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying the responsible(s) in this case.

Police ask anyone who may have information regarding this incident to please call Detective Craig Grogan at (209) 572-9627 or Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Tipsters can also text information to Crime Stoppers by sending a text message to 274637. Just type “TIP704” along with your message.