Two men killed in separate shootings in Los Banos, police say

The Los Banos Police Department is investigating two shooting deaths that occurred over the weekend, according to authorities.

Police say no suspects or motive have been identified in either of the shootings.

Officers responded to a shots fired call in the unit block of West I Street at about 11:48 p.m. Saturday and found a 22-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound behind an apartment complex, according to Cmdr. Jason Hedden. The victim was transported by ambulance and pronounced dead at Memorial Hospital Los Banos, police said.

On Sunday, officers responded to the 1500 block of West Pacheco Boulevard at about 5:10 p.m. for a report of a disturbance at a gas station, police said. According to Hedden, two parties involved in an altercation left the area in vehicles following each other.

The vehicles were traveling on Badger Flat Road when the occupant of a vehicle opened fire on a 2004 Dodge Durango, striking the driver.

The Durango traveled across oncoming lanes of traffic before crashing near the Walmart entrance, according to Hedden. The 25-year-old male victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to Hedden, investigators are working to chase down leads as well as talk to witnesses and review video surveillance footage.

“We know that there are people out there who witnessed this,” said Hedden, referring to Sunday’s shooting.

Hedden said that at this time, police have not found anything to indicate the two shootings are connected.

With Saturday and Sunday’s shooting deaths, thus far there have been seven homicides reported this year in Merced County.

Anyone with information about the shootings is asked to contact Det. Richard Mancera at 209-827-2529.

This story was originally published June 1, 2020 at 10:46 AM.