Suspect in deputy-involved shooting and chase faces multiple felony charges in Merced County

A man who was injured in a deputy-involved shooting and is accused of driving a vehicle into Merced County Sheriff’s Office patrol cars, has been charged with multiple felonies, authorities said.

Juan Ibarra Rosales was charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon and evading a peace officer with wanton disregard for safety and vandalism, according to Merced County Jail records. His bond was set at $80,000.

The Merced County Sheriff’s Office said the shooting happened Saturday during a vehicle pursuit in Delhi. Deputies responded at about 8:30 p.m. to a report of a suspicious vehicle. When they tried to pull the car over , the driver fled in his vehicle, resulting in a pursuit.

Rosales was identified as the driver of the vehicle. During the chase, it struck other vehicles as deputies pursued Rosales through Delhi. Near Stephens Street and Schendel Avenue, Rosales allegedly drove the vehicle into Merced County Sheriff patrol cars, resulting in four deputies discharging their service weapons.

Rosales was reportedly struck by one of the rounds and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Rosales was reported in stable condition.

Sheriff’s office officials said it is unclear just how many rounds were fired during the incident and Investigators are working to gather body camera footage along with witness statements. Of the four deputies involved in the shooting, officials said one of the deputies has more than 10 years of experience with the agency. Another worked in the sheriff’s office corrections for more than five years and has been working patrol for two years.

The two other deputies involved in the shooting both worked in the sheriff’s office corrections, one of them for four years and the other for more than two years, officials said. Those deputies have been working patrol for more than one year and roughly two years, respectively.

All four deputies involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation, officials said.

There were no reported injuries to deputies and the incident remains under investigation by the Merced County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Bureau and the Merced County District Attorney’s Office. Authorities said the California Highway Patrol is investigating the traffic collisions.

Anyone with information regarding the incident can contact the Merced County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Bureau at 209-385-7472.

This story was originally published February 11, 2025 at 2:00 PM.