Three suspects, including a minor, arrested after shooting and pursuit, Merced police say

Three suspects, including a minor, were arrested following a shooting and pursuit, according to the Merced Police Department.

Police said an officer observed a vehicle driving erratically near the intersection of 12th and M streets shortly before 1:30 a.m. Sunday.

According to a news release, the vehicle did not pull over and sped off. During the pursuit, police received calls of a shooting that occurred in the area where the pursuit began. Police said no injuries were reported from the shooting, but a vehicle the victim was driving was hit several times.

The pursuit lasted for more than 20 minutes and reached speeds of up to 120 mph, police said. The pursuit ended when the suspect vehicle left the roadway near the intersection of Lander Avenue and Westside Boulevard, near Stevinson.

Police said the suspects – 21-year-old Manuel Leon, 19-year-old Sebastian Ramirez and a 17-year-old – ran from the vehicle and were taken into custody following a short foot chase. Officers also recovered a loaded firearm from the vehicle, according to the release.

According to police, Leon was booked into Merced County Jail on suspicion of felony evading, assault with a firearm, several traffic violations, shooting into an occupied vehicle and gang enhancements.

Ramirez was booked into Merced County Jail on suspicion of felony evading, shooting into an occupied vehicle, assault with a firearm and gang enhancements, police said.

The minor was booked into juvenile hall on suspicion of felony evading, assault with a firearm, gang enhancements and shooting into an occupied vehicle, according to police.

Merced police ask anyone with information regarding this alleged crime to contact Sgt. Adrian at 209-385-4731 or by email at adriana@cityofmerced.org.

This story was originally published June 21, 2020 at 11:01 AM.