‘Extremely intoxicated’ man leads car chase after shooting at relative, Merced police say
Reports of shots fired in the early Friday led to a short vehicle chase, and a man arrested on suspicion of attempted homicide, a Merced Police Department news release says.
Officers responded to a report of a fight inside a home with gunshots fired at 1420 W 23rd St., Merced around 12:20 a.m. Friday.
Police were told the man accused of opening fire was leaving the scene in a gray truck, which officers said they spotted backing out of the driveway.
Officers tried to stop the vehicle and chased it after the driver sped away. The short pursuit ended after the driver returned to the scene of the disturbance, according to police.
Police identified the driver as 49-year-old John Michael Silva. He was taken into custody in the front yard of the home and allegedly found possessing a stolen handgun.
Officers in the news release described Silva as “extremely intoxicated.”
Investigators said Silva had allegedly been in an argument with his daughter-in-law earlier. He reportedly aimed a handgun at the woman and fired a shot, which missed. She fled and called the police, the release said.
Silva was booked into the Merced County Jail on suspicion of multiple allegations, including attempted homicide, felony child endangerment, felon in possession of a handgun, felon in possession of ammunition, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with a loaded firearm, criminal threats, felony evading and driving under the influence.
Merced police ask anyone with information about this crime to call the Tipster Line at 209-385-4725 or Detective Kalvin Haygood at 209-388-6998.
This story was originally published May 8, 2020 at 1:32 PM.
