Three Merced Shootings in One Night Result in One Death
Gang violence reached a boiling point in Merced when three people were shot in two separate, unrelated incidents on July 20th. Police are still trying to find answers as one person is dead and two injured.
1000 Block of W Street
The first incident occurred at 12:45 AM on 1053 W Street. The occupants of the residence were throwing a party and reported that gunshots had been fired to the Merced Police Department. When officers arrived at the scene, they found a 14-year-old juvenile with life-threatening gunshot wounds. The juvenile was being transported to a local hospital via Medi-Flight when he succumbed to his injuries and passed away.
Meanwhile, Mercy Medical Center reported that another gunshot victim was brought to the hospital by friends. Investigators identified the victim, who only had non-life threatening wounds, as John Miller, a known gang member. Both Miller and those interviewed at the party proved to be uncooperative in identifying who fired the shots.
The second incident occurred almost 24 hours later at 11:15 PM on Meadows Avenue near a Food 4 Less supermarket. When officers responded to scene, they found 21-year-old Chai Yang, also a known gang member, with non-life threatening gunshot wounds. Yang reported being shot by some Asian males driving a dark colored Honda that was leaving the area after an altercation between two groups of Asian males. Yang’s vague descriptions did little to assist police in their investigation. Yang was later picked-up by a passing citizen and transported to the Merced Medical Center.
Anyone with information on this crime is asked to please contact the Merced Police Department Detectives Division at (209) 385-4702 or the Tip-line at (209) 385-4725. Citizens can text a tip to TIP411 (847411) and using “comvip” as the first word in the text message.
Read More:
Modesto Bee: Merced Teen Shot Dead Near Party
Merced Sun-Star: 14-year-old boy Shot to Death in South Merced
Central Valley Report: 14 Year Old Shot at Party Dies
