Man shot at Merced County illegal marijuana grow in critical condition, deputies say

A man is in critical condition after he was shot in the abdomen at the site of an illegal marijuana grow house east of Stevinson, the Merced County Sheriff's Office said.

Law enforcement responded to reports of a shooting at about 8:45 p.m. Tuesday at the corner of Third Avenue and Nelander Road, east of Stevinson, Merced County Sheriff's Deputy Daryl Allen said.

The shooting victim was transported to a Modesto hospital for treatment, Allen said. A suspect was in custody while two others also were in custody. Identities of the victim, suspect or others weren't released Tuesday.

"When we came on scene, we realized this is a property that we've probably been out to three or four times in regards to illegal marijuana grows," Allen said, adding that Sheriff Vern Warnke told him the house had been flagged days prior to the shooting as a possible new illegal marijuana grow site.

Shooting and illegal marijuana grow investigation is expected to last through Tuesday night, Allen said.

This story was originally published June 26, 2018 at 9:08 PM.