Shooting kills 2, critically injures 1 in Planada

Two men have died and one was critically injured at a popular taco truck stall in Planada, authorities said.

Merced County Sheriff's deputies arrived at 8:30 p.m. Thursday to the area near Ramon's Tacos at the intersection of Highway 140 and North Plainsburg Road to reports of multiple people shot, Deputy Daryl Allen said.

One adult male was found dead at the scene, Allen said.

The victim's family stayed at the scene late into Friday morning as authorities investigated.

Two other men were in critical condition and transported to local area hospitals, Allen said. However, one of those men died while being treated.

Investigators were reviewing security camera footage from El Campo Market, next to the taco truck, and the shooting remained under investigation, Allen said.

Authorities haven't indicated whether the shooting involved gang elements.

Ramon Sanchez, owner of the taco truck, told the Sun-Star he casually knew the three victims shot.

"It's very sad because I knew them, not by name, but their faces. They came to eat here," he said through his daughter, who translated from Spanish.

Sanchez, whose business bystanders said is wildly popular, said the shooting was shocking, and that he tries to change the minds of troubled youth as a popular figure in town.

"Nothing like that ever happens (near the taco truck)," Sanchez said. "This affects the community."

Naurattan Sidhu, the co-owner of neighboring El Campo Market, said she has heard of other shootings in Planada, but never anything so close to the shop.

Sidhu said she was shocked and sad because she treats customers like the victims as her own children.

"This is not good for our community," she said. "I hope all the kids, all the parents, you know, they should put attention on it."

This story was originally published February 1, 2018 at 8:46 PM with the headline "Shooting kills 2, critically injures 1 in Planada."