Two suspects arrested in south Merced shooting that injured men. Two others remain at large

Two suspects have been arrested in shooting that injured two men last week near a south Merced market.

Camron Henry Griffin Jr., 20, and Alex Michael Nanez, 23, both of Merced, were taken into custody in the July shooting, reported at the Bi-Rite market near Martin Luther King Jr. Way and West 11th Street, said Sgt. Rey Alvarez.

Officers responded to the shooting at about 11:52 p.m. and found a man with a gunshot wound inside the store. The other man who was shot drove himself to the hospital. Police said the victims are recovering.

Nanez was arrested by police Tuesday at a Merced attorney’s office and Griffin Jr. was arrested July 16 when officers served a search warrant at his McGregor Street residence.

Police have also identified two other suspects in connection with the shooting: Adrian Torres-Mariano and Bryant Hernandez, both of Merced. Alvarez said the suspects’ whereabouts are unknown and police consider them dangerous.

Police believe there may have been a confrontation leading up to the shooting. “At this point we think the motive behind this thing is all going to be gang related,” said Alvarez.

Alvarez said Nanez was identified as a suspect through surveillance video. Griffin Jr. was also identified through surveillance video, plus prior contacts with detectives and the gang unit.

Griffin Jr. was booked into Merced County Jail, and faces multiple felony charges including attempted murder, participation in street gang activity, use of firearm to commit a felony, shooting at an inhabited dwelling or vehicle and being an accessory.

He remains in custody in lieu of $1.05 million bond, according to jail records.

Nanez faces multiple felony charges including attempted murder, shooting at an inhabited dwelling or vehicle and participation in street gang activity. He remains in custody without bail

Alvarez said investigators located multiple bullet casings at the scene. Police haven’t recovered a weapon. Investigators are continuing to interview witnesses and follow up on tips.

This story was originally published July 22, 2020 at 4:59 PM.