Merced man stabbed during gang argument near taco shop
Two young men stabbed a 37-year-old Merced man early Thursday near an R Street taco shop during some type of gang-related squabble, the Merced Police Department reported.
The victim was stabbed multiple times in the chest and flown to a Modesto hospital with injuries police described as serious, according to Merced Police Capt. Bimley West.
Employees of Maria’s Taco Shop, 1750 R St., Merced, called police at 12:28 a.m. and the victim was found inside the restaurant. It wasn’t clear whether he was stabbed outside the eatery, police said.
West said the victim was approached by two young men, described by police as “Hispanic males” believed to be in their late teens or early 20s. Police said the attackers accused the man of belonging to a rival gang and words were exchanged.
“And these two young adolescents or young adults, stabbed the victim multiple times in the upper torso,” West said in a telephone interview.
The attackers were not captured after police searched the neighborhood.
West said investigators expect the victim will recover from his injuries.
Detectives plan to review any security-camera footage from neighboring businesses that may have captured the attack.
Police are asking for the public’s help to identify the attackers. Tips are confidential and callers may remain anonymous.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Chris Russell at 209-385-4707 or Detective-Sgt. Curt Gorman at 209-385-4706 or Merced Police dispatch at 209-385-6905 or the Merced Police Department Tipster Line at 209-385-4725. The public can send information via anonymous text messages to police department by dialing “TIP411” (847411) and including the word “Comvip” as the “keyword” in the text message.
Rob Parsons: 209-385-2482
This story was originally published July 20, 2017 at 6:53 PM with the headline "Merced man stabbed during gang argument near taco shop."