Two homicides reported Sunday in Merced County

Two homicides were reported Sunday evening on opposite sides of Merced County.

The first was reported at 6:49 p.m. in Los Banos, when a 17-year-old male was shot in a park and died after collapsing at a nearby intersection. Coroner’s officials identified the victim as Raymond Sevilla of South Dos Palos.

Los Banos police Cmdr. Jason Hedden said Sevilla was at Dos Amigos Park in the 2200 block of San Luis Street with two other male teens. A group of males then approached, and one began shooting, Hedden said.

Hedden said the victim and his group started running away. Sevilla was shot in the upper body and collapsed at San Luis Street and Ward Road, about a half a block from the park. According to police, one of the other males, a 15-year-old, was struck in the head with a blunt object at the park. He was treated and released from Memorial Hospital, Los Banos.

Several people were seen leaving the area after the shooting. Los Banos police responded and attempted CPR on Sevilla, but were unsuccessful in saving his life.

“The motive for the shooting is unclear; we are still very early in this investigation and our detectives are working around the clock, examining evidence, interviewing witnesses and following leads,” Los Banos Police Chief Gary Brizzee said in a statement. The homicide was Los Banos’ first of the year. To leave an anonymous crime tip in the Los Banos case, call (209) 827-7070, ext. 288, or report it to the Merced Area Crime Stoppers at www.mercedareacrimestoppers.org.

The other shooting was reported at 10:22 p.m. at the La Hacienda 1 bar/restaurant in Merced. The victim was identified by coroner’s officials as Ishmael Joseph Escalante, 24.

Merced police responded to the 3146 G St. restaurant on a report on gunshots. Witnesses told police Escalante was standing outside the bar’s front door when someone shot at him. Escalante was struck by gunfire and ran inside the business.

Escalante was lying on the floor, in front of a pool table, and the shooter continued to fire at him. The shooter, who was wearing dark clothing with his face covered, ran in a westbound direction. It’s unknown whether the shooter left the area in a vehicle.

The G Street shooting is the 15th homicide reported this year in Merced. A total of 31 homicides have been reported this year in Merced County.

Anyone with information about the Merced shooting or the whereabouts of the gunman can call Detective Joe Deliman at (209) 385-6992. Tips can also be left on the department’s automated tip line at (209) 385-4725. Tips are kept confidential and you can remain anonymous.

This story was originally published December 8, 2014 at 8:45 AM with the headline "Two homicides reported Sunday in Merced County."