Merced County homicide victim ID’d, suspect arrested, deputies say
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- Merced deputies found the 55-year-old Gustine man shot dead on August 20.
- Detectives arrested a suspect on suspicion of murder the next day.
- Authorities believe the two men knew each other prior to the shooting.
Authorities have released the identify of a Merced County homicide victim found with a gunshot wound last month. A suspect in the killing has been arrested.
The Merced County Sheriff Coroner’s Office identified the shooting victim as 55-year-old Gilberto Ramirez of Gustine. Shortly after 4 p.m. on Aug. 20, deputies responded to the 4600 block of Hunt Road near Gustine for a report of a man suffering from a gunshot wound.
Deputies arrived on scene and located Ramirez deceased.
Merced County Sheriff’s Office Detective Jose Sanchez said that while on scene, detectives located several items of evidence.
During the investigation, detectives identified 46-year old Timothy Fontes as a suspect in the shooting. Sanchez said authorities located Fontes driving a pickup truck in a rural area of Gustine on the morning of Aug. 21. Fontes was arrested by deputies and booked into Merced County Jail on suspicion of felony murder, felon in possession of a firearm, prior serious felony convictions and multiple enhancements, according to jail records. He remains in custody without bond.
Sanchez said it appears the victim and suspect knew each other prior to the shooting, however authorities declined to comment on the exact nature of their relationship.
Sanchez said the case has been filed with the Merced County District Attorney’s Office and anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Detective Jose Sanchez at 209-446-0405.
This story was originally published September 3, 2025 at 9:28 AM.