Two teens were gunned down in Doxey Park in the 1300 block of Northgate Drive shortly after 1 a.m. Monday – one died at the hospital and the other was treated at the scene by medics.

Several neighbors reported having heard from nine to 12 gunshots from the park with one woman coming forward to say she had witnessed the killing in the northeast corner of the park at Doxey Drive and Higton Street.  The park is adjacent to George McParland School.

The female witness said she couldn’t sleep and had gone outside to have a cigarette when she heard an argument that turned violent followed by the gunfire.  

“I just knew there was a kid dying in the park and I was too scared to look, but I did call 911,” she said.

She said there was a silver car that stopped at the park on Doxey Drive before the shooting with at least one person getting out and then a short time later it sped away toward Northgate Drive after the shooting had stopped.  Another red car drove eastbound on Higton Street, she added. 

The one youth who survived was found a short distance away from the park. The mortally wounded victim was found near a picnic table by the “Doxey Park” sign, neighbors said.

Another man who lives in the area and stopped by the park Monday morning said he was returning home about 2 a.m. and was surprised to see the many black and white patrol cars and fire units near the park and the yellow crime scene tape stretched from tree to tree and knew it must be a pretty big crime scene.  

He added that he witnessed officers going door to door and interviewing residents in the neighborhood hoping to find someone who had seen the shooting or the cars involved. 

Sgt. Jodie Estarziau said the motive of the shooting is under investigation by detectives, however it does not appear to have been a random event, she said. Manteca Police are not releasing the names of the victims until the next of kin are notified, she added.

Anyone with information may contact Crime Stoppers and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 for information relating to the crime and the subsequent arrest of those responsible.  The South County Crime Stoppers may be reached at 823-4636 or Detective Bill Walmer at 456-8222.

Callers to Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous even with the collection of the reward.