Man accused of trying to shoot woman in Merced arrested, police say

A Merced man has been arrested after allegedly trying to shoot a woman Thursday on Canal Street, near 15th Street.

Details are preliminary and the investigation is ongoing. Officers responded at 1:17 a.m. for a report of an assault, according to a news release.

Officers made contact with a 60-year-old woman who told police suspect, Wesley Bledsoe, 56, attempted to shoot her, according to Lt. Joe Weiss.

The woman told police Bledsoe fired a round at her, but she was not struck.

Weiss said officers searched the area and located Bledsoe near the intersection of East 13th and G streets. Officers arrested Bledsoe and located a handgun in possession, police said.

According Weiss, the woman was not injured in the incident and a motive behind the alleged assault is unknown at this time.

Bledsoe was booked into Merced County Jail on suspicion of felony attempted murder and criminal terrorist threats, according to jail records. He remains in custody at the Merced County Sheriff’s Main Jail in lieu of $550,000 bond.