Oakdale Police confirmed Friday afternoon, Jan 29 that the individual found with a gunshot wound to the head and later died was the 19-year-old teen they were looking for earlier in the day.
Oakdale Police Chief Lester Jenkins stated that Oakdale Police were alerted by the father of a 19-year-old that his son made suicide threats and left their residence around 11:30 a.m. in the morning. The teen was reported to have a rifle in a guitar case.
Police searched the area and alerted Magnolia Elementary School, which was in the neighborhood of where the incident was initially reported.
“We alerted the school because there was a person reported to be with a gun in the area, but no lockdown occurred,” Jenkins said.
Police contacted various subjects during the search but the teen was not located.
In the afternoon, Sergeant Joe Carrillo obtained a photo of the individual and recognized the background as similar to the field area off Greger Street in the city.
Sergeant Carrillo responded to the field area and contacted an individual riding a dirt bike in the field. When Sergeant Carrillo inquired with the rider, he advised him of the search for the teen and the rider assisted police with the search.
Around 3:20 p.m. the rider signaled Sgt. Carrillo that he had found a male subject bleeding from the head under a tree.
Sgt. Carrillo responded to the area and confirmed the individual was the 19-year-old teen police were looking for that morning. When Carrillo checked the individual he found he was still alive despite a gunshot wound to the head.
Emergency medical personnel responded and the teen was later transported to Modesto Memorial Hospital in Modesto where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Chief Jenkins said a .22 caliber rifle similar to what was described by the father was found at the scene and the department is treating the incident as a suicide.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention asks that if you or someone you know is in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 (TALK), available 24hrs
Read the Feb. 3 edition of the Leader for any updated information.
