Full Notification

MODESTO MAN ARRESTED FOR AIRPORT AREA MURDER

Modesto, CA – A Modesto man who was shot and critically injured Sunday has died. Detectives have arrested the man they believe is responsible for his murder.

At about 2:30 AM on Sunday Modesto Police responded to the report of a shooting in the 600 block of Thrasher Avenue in Modesto’s airport neighborhood. When they arrived they found a man who had been shot. The man was transported to a Modesto hospital with critical, life threatening injuries. The victim, identified as 33-year-old Modesto resident Rene Luna Navarro, died at about 5:00 PM Wednesday at a local hospital.

Modesto Police homicide detectives have been following up on leads and conducting interviews over the past several days. Their investigation suggested that 21-year-old Modesto resident David Garza was responsible for the murder of Rene Navarro as he stood in front of his home.

Members of the Modesto Police Homicide Unit and Street Crimes Unit served a search warrant at his home in the 1700 block of Connie Way late Wednesday morning. Garza was not at the home but detectives developed information that led them to believe that Garza was staying at the Oak Motel in the 1900 block of Crowslanding Road in Modesto. Detectives and members of the Street Crimes Unit found Garza walking near the intersection of Dallas and Glenn Avenues. He was arrested without incident.

For further information regarding this press release please contact Sergeant Brian Findlen at (209) 652-1386.