Drive By Shootings

'Person of interest' sought in shooting incidents

Ardmore police are searching for Ricky G. McGee Jr. in connection with an early-morning shooting Saturday that left one man injured and a vehicle damaged and a drive-by shooting Monday afternoon that resulted in a northwest side house being peppered with bullets.

Tuesday Sgt. Ryan Hunnicutt, APD public information officer, called the 24-year-old McGee a “person of interest.” Hunnicutt said McGee is wanted for questioning in the two shootings.

“McGee is believed to be directly involved in the recent shootings,” Hunnicutt said.

Unconfirmed sources said a recent upswing in shootings, which totaled three — two on Saturday and one on Monday — are the result of an upsurge of gang activity.

Although Hunnicutt would not confirm those allegations, he did not discount the speculation.

“While we do not have enough information at this time to say it’s gang related, we do consider any acts of violence very serious,” he said. “Chief Mann is committed to protecting the citizens of Ardmore and has allocated extra manpower and resources to the investigation, prosecution and prevention of these kinds of violent acts.”

Shortly before 3 a.m. Saturday officers responded to a residence located in the 300 block of 3rd Avenue NW. A 26-year-old man had sustained a gunshot wound in the left thigh and was treated and released from the local hospital. Reports indicated a number of shots had also hit a vehicle.

Monday afternoon officers responded to a drive-by shooting report in the 1000 block of A Street NW. Preliminary investigation reports revealed several people were at the residence at the time and a number of cars left the scene following the gunplay that damaged the house.

McGee is described as a black male, 5-feet 9-inches tall, weighing about 200 pounds. He is believed to be wearing his hair in short braids.  

Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of  McGee is urged to make in person contact with Detective Billy Turner, Ardmore Police Department Criminal Investigation Department or by calling Turner at (580) 223-1212.

Merced deputies respond to drive-by shootings in Planada, Dos ...

The Merced County Sheriff's Department responded to two separate drive-by shootings on opposite sides of the county Sunday, one in the Dos Palos area, the other in Planada.

The Planada drive-by shooting was reported around 10:45 p.m. Sunday in the 300 block of Campos Court. The shooters drove by and fired an unknown number of rounds at the house before leaving the area.

A 19-year-old man, who was visiting his neighbor, was shot once in the face. The bullet hit near his jaw and exited through his cheek. The victim is expected to recover from his injuries, even though it was just a few inches from being a fatal gunshot wound, sheriff's spokesman Deputy Tom MacKenzie said.

Deputies found the victim after he'd already gone to Mercy Medical Center Merced for treatment. Although the victim isn't believed to be a gang member, deputies said the house has been previously known for gang activity. No details are available about the shooters or their vehicle.

In the Dos Palos area incident, a 19-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of committing a drive-by shooting in the 17000 block of Highway 33.

Fortunately, no one was hurt during the incident. Suspect Amanda Esparza was arrested and booked for allegedly committing the gang-related shooting, MacKenzie said.

The incident was reported around 12:30 a.m. on Sunday. Deputies responded to a shots fired call and discovered the home was struck by several bullets from an unknown caliber firearm.

During the investigation, deputies found the vehicle allegedly used in the drive by at a residence in the 21000 block of Reynolds Avenue. A search warrant was obtained and deputies found Esparza inside the house with gang paraphernalia, MacKenzie said.

Also inside the house was a small amount of cocaine, but the firearm wasn't found.

Esparza was booked into the Merced County Jail on suspicion of possessing cocaine. She was released after her $10,000 bail was posted.

Deputies are asking anyone with information to call (209) 385-7472. Tips are kept confidential and you can remain anonymous.

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