Merced police find gunshot victim in roadway, seek information on Sunday homicide

Police were investigating a Merced home in connection to a shooting death late Sunday night.

Officers responded to reports of shots fired at about 11:31 p.m. in the 1300 block of Merced Avenue, Merced Police Capt. Matt Williams said.

When officers arrived, they found a man with gunshot wounds lying in the roadway, Williams said. Detectives spent the early morning hours on Monday canvassing the area and talking to witnesses.

The victim was identified as 48-year-old Juan Manuel Ramirez, according to the Merced County Coroner’s Office.

Witnesses reported seeing a vehicle leaving the area, Williams said. But it was unknown if the vehicle was related to the slaying.

Authorities were working Monday to confirm the identity of the victim and contact the next of kin, Merced County Sheriff’s Deputy Daryl Allen said.

Detectives were seen investigating a house on a corner of Merced Avenue and Ronnie Court, which was taped off blocks away from the initial call. Ronnie Court was blocked off to traffic. Merced Police Lt. Joseph Weiss didn’t confirm the home was part of the homicide investigation.

Investigators hadn’t yet uncovered a motive for the attack, Weiss said.

Anyone with information on the slaying is being urged to contact Merced Police Detective Kalvin Haygood at 209-385-6998, or the police department’s tipster line at 209-385-6998. Callers can remain anonymous.

The public also can send information via anonymous text message to the police department by dialing “TIP411” (847411) and including the word “Comvip” as the “keyword” in the text message.

This story was originally published July 15, 2019 at 7:57 AM.