Full Notification

HOMICIDE VICTIMS IDENTIFIED; SUSPECT PHOTOS RELEASED

Two men were shot and killed early Monday morning. Four men were arrested after shots were fired during a pursuit of the suspect vehicle. The names of the two victims have been released by police.

Just after midnight Monday morning officers were dispatched to a shooting in the 2600 block of Maxine Drive. Mark Ochoa, a 19-year-old Ceres resident, and Christopher Diaz, a 20-year-old Modesto resident, died from their injuries. Police believe the shooting was a gang-involved.

Within minutes of the initial call, Officer Larry Meyer was responding to the area when he spotted a possible suspect vehicle, a dark colored Ford pick-up, near Floyd Avenue in the Village One area of Modesto. A pursuit ensued and gunshots were fired from the truck at Officer Meyer and another assisting patrol officer. Neither officer was injured.

The truck continued to flee from pursuing officers and the occupants fired gunshots as they sped down Boston Avenue and Massachusetts Way. The passengers ran westbound from the truck in the area of Sunny Park Drive and Massachusetts Way as the driver continued driving to Sunny Park Drive and Suncrest Court. More gunshots were fired toward officers as the passengers ran on foot.

The driver was taken into custody without incident and an extensive search ensued for the remaining suspects. Police believe there were a total of four or five suspects in the vehicle. After several hours two of the suspects were found hiding in the 2000 block of Hearthstone Lane and another was found on Temescal Drive near Cobblestone Manor. They were taken into custody by the Modesto Police Department SWAT team. Firearms were recovered in the area where the suspects were captured.

Officers from most Stanislaus County law enforcement agencies participated in the containment of the area and the protection of numerous crime scenes. Police estimate that as many as 50 police officers were utilized during the search for the suspects.

Modesto Police personnel were in close contact with local and regional media agencies to keep the public abreast of the developments. Updates were also posted on Twitter. School officials were notified of the incident and were advised when police had completed their search.

At the conclusion of the investigation, police arrested 18-year-old Modesto resident Eric Arguello, 21-year-old Modesto resident Victor Zapien, 25-year-old Ceres resident Kelly Valle, and 30-year-old Ceres resident David Ferrel for two counts of murder, attempted murder of a police officer, and use of a firearm causing great bodily injury. Zapien also had outstanding warrants for his arrest for assault with a deadly weapon and attempted murder. Additionally, Ferrel had a felony warrant for probation violation. All were arrested hiding in the backyard of area homes. Their booking photographs can be viewed at http://www.modestogov.com/newsroom/releases/police/.

Homicide detectives ask anyone with information about this case to call the Modesto Police Department at (209) 572-9500. Tipsters can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636 or information can be sent via text by sending the message to 274637. Just type “TIP704” along with your message.