3 homicides so far this year in city of Merced; some suspects at-large

MERCED, Calif. (KFSN) -- In conscionable the archetypal 19 days of the year, 5 radical person been changeable and 3 of those were killed successful the metropolis of Merced.

"The unit has to halt here," a mourner said. "It's not just for america parents, not conscionable parents but the assemblage to proceed to woody with death."

Family and friends near successful daze and mourning astir memorials connected 13th and G streets, wherever constabulary accidental 2 15-year-old boys were changeable and killed Monday night.

"It's not just we person to hide our ain kids now," a mourner stated.

Merced Police accidental this incidental is not gang-related.

"We're inactive looking astatine witnesses and video surveillance to place a fishy successful this case," Merced Police Sgt. Christian Lupian said.

Monday's fatal shooting marks the 2nd and 3rd homicides truthful acold this twelvemonth for the city.

"It feels similar determination is much shootings going on. However, they've really gone down," Sgt. Lupian explained.

Just a fewer days ago, connected Saturday night, 23-year-old Angel Barrios was recovered dormant with aggregate gunshot wounds connected Austin adjacent Olive Avenue.

"We judge our unfortunate was lasting successful the beforehand structure of a friend's house, determination were respective individuals that approached and each opened occurrence connected the victim," Sgt, Lupian explained.

Police accidental Saturday's fatal shooting is gang-related and could beryllium connected to the January 2nd shooting that injured 2 men.

"Just rival gangs shooting backmost and distant astatine each other," Sgt. Lupian explained.

The nighttime of January 2nd, 2 Little Caesars Pizza employees were taking retired the trash adjacent G and 16th streets erstwhile a car drove up and idiosyncratic wrong began firing.

Both victims were changeable and taken to a Modesto country infirmary by helicopter.

Police accidental the brace is present retired of the infirmary and recovering.

"There are 2 suspects we person in-custody for that investigation. We are inactive looking into further suspects," Sgt. Lupian stated.

Police accidental 1 of those suspects is 17 years aged and the different is 19-year-old Jaydin Jimenez.

All different suspects successful each probe stay at-large.

Anyone with accusation is asked to interaction the Merced Police Department.

In the meantime, the section is expanding its patrols and gang-violence suppression units successful neighborhoods.

For quality and upwind updates, travel Tiffany Olin connected Facebook, X and Instagram.