Investigation continues into deadly Applegate Park shooting in Merced

MERCED, Calif. (KFSN) -- On Wednesday afternoon, respective families were enjoying clip outdoors astatine Applegate Park successful Downtown Merced earlier proceeding gunshots, starring to chaos.

"It was conscionable similar a popular pop pop."

A fearful and unpredictable infinitesimal 1 witnesser shared with Action News...

"I was astatine the parkland and I conscionable heard gunshots. At first, it sounded similar it was fireworks, but past we saw kids, moms, full families conscionable running," said a witnesser to the shooting.

The Merced Police Department responded to the parkland astatine 3 successful the day for reports of gunshots.

Lt. Jose Barajas says officers recovered a antheral successful his aboriginal 20s suffering from aggregate gunshot wounds.

The antheral was taken to the infirmary but died from his injuries.

Barajas says the shooting was isolated but happened successful a nationalist spot wherever bystanders could person been hurt.

A infinitesimal starring to fear.

"To person thing truthful tragic hap successful the mediate of wide daylight makes it hard for radical to consciousness comfortable," says Lt. Jose Barajas with the Merced Police Department.

Barajas says the motive is nether investigation.

He reminds the nationalist that the constabulary section has much units connected patrol.

"It decidedly appears to beryllium an isolated incident. We inactive privation the assemblage to consciousness safe. We mentioned successful the past that we person other patrols; our pack unit suppression portion is inactive moving 7 days a week," Lt. Barajas says.

One pistillate who showed up to the parkland aft the shooting told Action News she's successful disbelief, "We person this parkland that is expected to beryllium truly harmless and everything... household oriented. This is simply a tragedy."

Many radical are sharing their condolences for the household and friends present grieving the nonaccomplishment of a loved one.

"I spot that his family, they are truly heartbroken close now," said the witness.

This is the 5th homicide of the twelvemonth present successful Merced.

Investigators are searching for the shooter.

If anyone has accusation related to the case, you tin telephone the Merced Police Department.

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