Police Identify Gunman Who Paralyzed Local Man

February 4, 2012 12:13 AM

TRACY (CBS13) – The victim of a 2010 shooting is hoping for justice now that police have released the identity of the suspected gunman that left him paralyzed.

The 22-year-old victim, who asked only to be identified as Eric, said he was approached by seven men while making one of his frequent trips to a convenience store near his home, and when he tried to walk home, they followed him.

Investigators said the suspects pulled Eric into their SUV and aimed a gun at him. Eric said he tried to escape, causing the bullet to miss his head and hit his chest instead.

The suspects threw him from the vehicle, leaving him bleeding and paralyzed. Two years later, Eric said it’s still difficult to adjust.

“It’s hard… going to the bathroom, taking a shower, getting dressed. I need a lot of help,” he said.

The suspected shooter has walked free, but Tracy police have finally released the identity of the gunman: Martin Duran Vargas, who police believe is on the run.

Eric said he hopes someone turns in Vargas and allows him to face justice.

“I really want to be in court, if they let me,” he said.

Eric said two of the other six men with Vargas that night have been caught and arrested. Tracy police did not immediately return CBS13’s calls requesting their identities Friday night.

Neighborsvoice_in_Idaho

I guess that’s one of the paybacks for being in a gang. Now the state has to pick up the tab for his care the rest of his life……….
wheresyourpapers?

They make it sound like a sob story, But I’m sure there’s more to it. No one really cares.
david

it happened in 2010 and police are just now releasing the identity of the shooter along with picture? makes no sense. would think identity and picture would be released as soon as it’s known. why give the criminals time to escape, change their appearance? there has to be more to this story, the why of it all. or could it really just be a random act of violence?
RAPTOR555

You’re obviously a low-life, gang-banger azzole!
RAPTOR555

Where did you get the idea he’s a gang-banger?
RAPTOR555

Uhhhhhhhhh…………They just found out who the perpetrators were and immediately released the information. What more can you ask for?
RAPTOR555

All the perpetrators involve should spend the rest of their lives in prison at hard labor. It’s time to bring back the chain gangs so these azzoles can work 10 haurs a day rather than sit in an air-conditioned cell watching TV, reading, napping and soaking up taxpayer’s money. There are plenty of public works projects they can do that state employees are paid to do.
Alicia M. Morales

going to the store makes him a gang banger??? a young hispanic man cant be victim of violence without being in a gang?? you are so ignorant and racist
Fed Up

Raptor555 i agree except let’s go further since in today criminal justice system there is little to no deterrent in not only offending but re-offending while in custody and being released from custody (parole, probation etc.) All murderers, rapists, child molesters who are convicted simply as soon as they are scheduled to be incarcerated sedate the inmate and take them to a surgical setting and simple cut the spinal cord to paralyze them from the neck down. Turn some to the prisons used now into quasi-hospitals where the inmates no longer attack staff, rape and abuse each other or deal drugs. No re offenders, no parole violations and you have a great deterrent from doing this horrific offenses. Just saying….
Think again

While I agree these perps need to pay harshly, your vision of prison is not how it is. No air, no heat, and I don’t know where you get your info on the rest, but you need to get out and se more!
Prison is NOT like you say. Visit a few.
J

People don’t just pick fights with people off the streets, and choose aggravated assault, then trying to leave them for dead! It must have been a drug, or gang related thing. Unless, it was over one of their chiquitas. So tragic, what a waste!
Think again

Really Fed Up? That would make us just as sick as the offender.
Your version of justice is not justice but twisted revenge. Get out of the dark ages.
I bet you are one of those people who think anyone in prison or jail belongs there. And I bet you are one who thinks ALL people labeled sex offenders are child molesters or child contact criminals! When in fact 55 percent of our nation’s so called criminals in prison are no threat to any part of society, nor have they entered prison on a just basis. You also need to read and educate.
Get a clue.

Hey J…. Why don’t people just? Do you realize how many sick twisted perverted people exist in society today? Apparently not!
Ever seen kids in a playground? They pick fights for fun. These types of people CAN be gangs, OR drugs. They can ALSO be kids who never matured beyond the mean spirited self centered behavior or grade school.
Get a clue.
What an Idiot

You are so Friggin Stupid…..
Whitey

One thing I’ve learned in this life is if u don’t bother no one and mind ur business, u will avoid tragedies like this! Do not dress in gang bang attire, stay away from gang affiliated areas…
J

Hey Get a clue…Or they could be cold-blooded killers. It’s so horrendous, that these pedifiles do such little time for their crimes, then just walk free only to repeat an offense. Seen many bullies throughout childhood and adolescence. Those people weren’t looked after right, and educated enough. The ones who never successfully matured from their mean spiritedness, and self centeredness usually worsened.
grow up please

Really? I was minding my own business. I was in Carmichael at the time. Nice enough area back then. Not late, just doing some shopping. Then I was beaten and raped.
Any more theories? Just how old are you for learning these things you speak of? Hope you never have to find out the hard way the way life really is.
Yeh…I am bitter. Cuz this attitude is prevalent and some people think it is our own fault for being in a certain place or wearing certain attire. Guess what? I was doing neither and STILL got it! Grow up folks.
Get a clue.

J—Who is talking about pedophiles? Out of the blue comment there!
As for the rest, you simply re-stated my point.
So what IS your point please?