Ceres Police detectives are investigating what are believed to be connected random shootings of two homeless men occurring minutes apart in two different locations.

The shootings took place after midnight on Sunday, Oct. 13. According to Ceres Police Sgt. Dirk Niewenhuis, the 911 dispatch center was alerted at approximately 12:33 a.m. about an unresponsive man near the canal bank adjacent to the abandoned Walmart store at 1670 Mitchell Road. Officers found a 39-year-old transient man, Cipriano Cases of Modesto, who had died from a gunshot wound.

Within minutes, a 53-year-old homeless man who was fishing the TID Main Canal at the time was shot about a mile away near the intersection of Hatch and Faith Home roads. That man sustained only minor injuries and is recovering.

The investigation bureau is examining potential motives behind the two shootings and is working one lead. While his direct involvement in the shootings has not been confirmed, police want to identify and speak to a stocky Hispanic man, standing approximately 5-foot-7, with dark hair and wearing dark clothing. The public is being asked to offer assistance. Homeowners and business owners are urged to review their surveillance footage for any suspicious individuals matching the described profile or anyone who appeared out of place between 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12 until 2 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 13. Police are specifically seeking persons who may have seen the person of interest or have captured his image on video surveillance from homes along the Hatch Road canal bank from Mitchell to Faith Home roads; properties along Faith Home Road to Whitmore Avenue; residences on Fowler Road from Booth Road to Rose Avenue; and businesses on Mitchell Road from River Road to Whitmore Avenue.

Authorities are urging anyone with information related to these incidents to reach out to Detective Matthew Berlier at (209) 538-5616 or to submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers. The public’s help could be vital in advancing this investigation.