Officers were responding to a report of shots being fired near Olive and Meadows around 9:30 pm when they were flagged down by the victim.
The man, who police believe is in his 30s, was sitting outside his car suffering from gunshot wounds.
He was flown to a Modesto hospital with serious injuries.
Investigators believe he tried to run away from the gunman after he was shot.
Police spent several hours canvassing the area. A possible suspect description has not been released.