Homicide Investigation Update - Murder Charge Filed in 2023 Death of Turlock Teen
July 11, 2026 – Turlock Police Department officials report that three years after the fatal stabbing of a Turlock 
teenager, the Turlock Police Department has filed a murder charge with the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office in connection with the case.
On June 2, 2023, at approximately 10:46 p.m., the Turlock Police Department received a 9-1-1 call reporting that a stabbing had just occurred in the 2000 block of N. Daubenberger Road. Officers arrived within minutes and located the victim on the sidewalk suffering from a stab wound. Officers immediately began administering first aid and CPR until personnel from Turlock Fire Department and American Medical Response arrived on scene.
The victim, later identified as 17-year-old Dylan Ray Dooling of Turlock, was transported to a local hospital where medical staff continued lifesaving efforts. Despite those efforts, Dylan succumbed to his injuries.
Detectives with the Turlock Police Department responded and began an extensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Through the course of the investigation, detectives learned that Dylan had attended a nearby house party earlier that evening. As he was leaving the party, he was confronted by a group of males and a physical altercation occurred. During the fight, Dylan was stabbed before the group fled the area. Friends of the victim immediately called 9-1-1.
Over the past three years, detectives continued to actively investigate the case, conducting numerous follow-up interviews, reviewing evidence, and pursuing leads. Through continued investigative work and the development of additional evidence over time, detectives recently reached a point in the investigation that allowed them to seek a charge in the case.
As a result, the Turlock Police Department has submitted a case to the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office requesting that a charge of 187 PC – Murder be filed against a suspect who was a minor at the time of the incident and is now an adult. The suspect is currently in state prison for an unrelated offense.
𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐣𝐮𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐥𝐞, 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐚 𝐥𝐚𝐰 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥’𝐬 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥. 𝐀𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐭, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐡𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞.
“This case has remained a priority for our detectives since the night it occurred,” said Detective Frank Navarro. “Dylan was a young man who had just graduated high school and had his whole life ahead of him. Our goal has always been to pursue the truth and seek accountability for what happened to him.”
Turlock Police Chief Jason Hedden added, “The loss of Dylan deeply impacted his family, friends, and our entire community. While nothing can undo that loss, our department has remained committed to pursuing justice. I want to commend the dedication and persistence of our detectives who continued working this case over the past several years.”
The Turlock Police Department also acknowledges the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office and the Stanislaus Probation Department for their essential partnership throughout this investigation. Their collaboration was instrumental in bringing this case forward.
The case will now proceed through the judicial process. Additional updates will be provided when appropriate.
Anyone with information related to this case may contact Detective Frank Navarro at (209) 664-7319.
Source: Turlock Police Department
