Merced police announce arrest in G Street/Childs Avenue homicide

MERCED -- Merced police on Friday announced the arrest of a suspect in the shooting death of a 33-year-old man near G Street and Childs Avenue earlier this week.

Sou Finh Saeturn was taken into custody at his residence Thursday afternoon in the homicide of Kai Saelee, according to Sgt. Scott Skinner.

Saelee was found in his driveway around 11:30 p.m. Sunday, bleeding and unconscious. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Skinner said the crime is gang-related, and the victim and suspect were members of rival gangs.

Police also are awaiting the results of forensic evidence in the case, which may provide detectives with enough evidence to make a second arrest, Skinner said.

Police worked "around the clock" piecing together the case, with assistance from the department's Gang Suppression Unit, Skinner said.

Saelee is Merced’s sixth reported homicide this year, officials said. Thirteen homicides have been reported this year in Merced County.

Anyone with information about the case can call Detective Chris Russell at (209) 385-4707 or the department's automated tipline at (209) 385-4725.

— Sun-Star staff