Los Banos police investigating two separate shootings, one of them fatal

Authorities are investigating after a man was shot dead and another person was found with a gunshot wound in Los Banos.

At about 9:51 p.m. Sunday, officers were dispatched to the area of San Luis Street and Nickel Street after receiving a report of shots fired, according to a Los Banos Police Department news release.

Officers arrived and located a 25-year-old Los Banos man who had gunshot wounds to his upper body. Police said the man was unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel.

After reviewing evidence and video surveillance from the area, police said detectives believe people in two passing vehicles may have witnessed the shooting while traveling through the area near Los Banos Junior High School.

Additionally, police said that about three hours after the first reported shooting, officers were dispatched to Memorial Hospital Los Banos for a report of a shooting victim located in the emergency room.

Officers spoke with the 22-year-old victim, who police described as uncooperative. Police said that few details were available at the time but investigators do not believe the two shootings are linked. Police said both shootings may have been gang related.

Police ask anyone with information on the shooting in the area of San Luis Street and Nickel Street to contact Detective-Sgt. Jesse Ceja at 209-827-2507.

Anonymous crime tips can be left for police by calling 209-827-2545 or by accessing the Los Banos Police Department website and clicking on “report graffiti and other crime” on the web page.

Tips can also by left be calling the Merced Area Crime Stoppers at 855-725-2420 or by visiting the Merced Area Crime Stoppers website.

This story was originally published September 16, 2020 at 12:47 PM.