Tracy teen dies in hospital after officers find him with multiple bullet wounds in vehicle
TRACY — A homicide investigation remains ongoing after a Tracy teen was found with multiple gunshot wounds in a vehicle last week, police said Tuesday.
David Cantero Valdez, 17, of Tracy, was found Friday evening inside a vehicle along Sugar Road between Tracy Boulevard and Holly Drive, the Tracy Police Department said. Valdez was declared dead at an area hospital.
Police officers initially responded to a report of a crash in the area.
There were no details available on a suspect or motive.
Tracy police said a homicide involving a teen is rare in the area, and that's why they are taking an aggressive approach to this investigation.
"We're going to go through it and piece together why he was there and who was there with him and what caused the shooting," Sgt. Michael Richards said.
According to police, Valdez was a student at Merrill F. West High School.
"It's very difficult for his friends, classmates and teachers and everybody who works at the school," Sgt. Richards said. "So we were in contact with them right away when we found out."
The shooting comes after two other death investigations in the Tracy area over the past month.
One was a hit-and-run and is being investigated by the California Highway Patrol. Another was a domestic dispute that is being investigated by the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office.
Both are unrelated to Friday's incident.
Police later announced they arrested 27-year-old Victor Vera in connection with the shooting.
