Bystander killed in Merced County gang shooting earlier this year, investigators say

The shooting deaths of two men earlier this year outside of a popular Planada taco truck came after a gang-related fistfight, according to Merced County investigators.

Diego Gallardo, 22, and Pedro Luna, 27, were eating at Ramon's Tacos along Highway 140 in Planada before violence erupted that claimed both of their lives, according to a deputy’s report from the Merced County Sheriff's Office.

Luna arrived at the eatery with 22-year-old Juan Ceja-Prado, according to witnesses, and sat at a nearby bench to eat about 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1. Described as Surenos by investigators, the men were there for about 20 minutes before two rivals stopped at the truck.

Two other men had phoned in an order and stopped to pick it up, according to the report.

Gallardo was not with either group and was struck by a stray bullet in the gang-related violence, according to Detective-Sgt. Sam Becerra.

Witness accounts differ on who exactly started the fight, but the men began yelling at each other after staring for a few moments. Then a fistfight broke out, according to the report.

People in the area described hearing more than 10, while others said more than 20 shots, according to the report. Investigators have not said specifically who used handguns but have said the two sides exchanged fire that day.

"We're still looking into possible other suspects," Becerra said.

An autopsy of Gallardo found a single .40 caliber hollow point round entered the right side of his chest and passed through his right lung and heart before coming to rest. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the shooting, the report says.

Luna was struck once in the abdomen and once in the left hip, which severed two arteries, the report says. He died on the way to the hospital, according to investigators.

The deadly violence prompted a march and candlelight vigil that same week with residents of the community of fewer than 5,000 calling for peace while speaking out against gang violence, a problem they said has plagued the community for years.

Prado was arrested last Wednesday when he made his regularly scheduled report to his probation officer, according to deputies. He pleaded not guilty to charges of homicide and being involved in a gang, according to court records.

He has a history of being charged with gang-related crimes, records show. His attorney, Nicholas Reyes, declined to comment on Tuesday.