On Thursday, March 30th, 2023, at 12:46 pm, the Turlock Police Department came out with an update regarding the homicide that had occurred during the early morning hours of Saturday, January 14th, at the intersection of Market St and S Broadway, Turlock.
The Turlock Police Department announced the arrest of Gary Jackson, 22, of Patterson, who they suspect shot Romeo Portillo, 21, of Patterson, and another 20-year-old of Patterson, killing Portillo and wounding the 20-year-old.
We previously reported that Jackson had been arrested for carrying a loaded firearm while transporting Jackson and the other 20-year-old victim to the hospital. As the investigation progressed, detectives identified him as the shooting suspect and obtained a warrant of arrest against him on Thursday, March 23rd, for murder and attempted murder.
On Tuesday, March 28th, Jackson walked into the Cobb County Police Department in Georgia to apply for an alcohol permit. During the process, police in Georgia discovered the California warrant and arrested Jackson on it without incident a few minutes later.
Jackson was booked into the Cobb County Adult Detention Center and then picked up by Turlock Police Department on Monday, April 3rd. He is expected to be booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center in a short while.
The Turlock Police Department also announced that they served several search warrants during the investigation and believe to have recovered all firearms used in the incident. Additionally, all the individuals involved in the incident have been identified and interviewed.
Although Jackson and Portillo were known to each other, the motive for the crime was not released.
“We will not tolerate violent crime here in Turlock,” said Turlock Police Chief Jason Hedden. “Our team is relentless and they will not stop until those who commit crime in our community are arrested, charged, and held accountable for their actions,” he continued.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information that could assist in it is encouraged to call Detective Gina Giovacchini at 209-668-6539.
