14-Year-Old Juvenile Reportedly Identified as Suspect in Merced Homicide
A 14-year-old juvenile has reportedly been arrested as the primary suspect in a fatal shooting in Merced.
On the afternoon of June 15, officers responded to the 1700 block of Conestoga Drive to investigate a reported disturbace. At the scene, officers reportedly discovered a 41-year-old male victim who had died of a single gunshot wound.
Investigators gathered interviews and witness statements which led to the identification of a 14-year-old juvenile male as the primary suspect.
In a press release on June 18, police indicated that the shooting may have been related to a dispute over money, according to witness witness interviews and surveillance video gathered from the scene.
Additional details regarding the exact circumstances of the shooting were not immediately available.
Merced police detectives located the juvenile suspect at a hotel in San Jose on the afternoon of June 17.
The suspect is reportedly in custody at the Merced County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of homicide.
The Merced Police Department encourages anyone with information relevant to the case to reach out to Detective Calcagno at 209-388-7718 or calcagnom@cityofmerced.org. The case number is 24-31149.
Although an arrest has been made, it is important to note that the arrested individual is only suspected of a crime and is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
