Merced police reveal possible motive in robbery that killed mother, left family in grief

Days after a Saturday shooting left Christina Velez dead at an East Main Street residence, dozens of candles, along with balloons and a large photo, cover the concrete steps of the house.

Velez, a 33-year-old mother of two, died after shots were fired during a robbery. The shooting also injured a 63-year-old man, who remains in stable condition, Merced police say.

Labeled bullet holes on the exterior of the home show reminders of the police investigation into the crime.

Velez died at the scene. Police on Wednesday revealed a suspect has been arrested for the shooting that killed Velez.

Merced Police Detective-Sgt. Kalvin Haygood, said Emari Lee Prescott, 22, was located at Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock and arrested by detectives early Sunday morning.

Haygood said Prescott was shot in the leg during an exchange of gunfire in the Oct. 30 attempted robbery at the residence.

He received medical treatment for the non-life-threatening gunshot wound and was booked into Merced County Jail on Tuesday, on suspicion of felony murder, two counts of attempted murder, assault with a firearm, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, first degree robbery and prohibited person in possession of a firearm, according to jail records.

Prescott remains in custody in lieu of $1.5 million bond.

According to Haygood, it appears the residence was targeted in what police believe was an attempted robbery of marijuana. “It appears that that’s what they were after,” Haygood said.

The shooting was reported at 11:13 p.m. Saturday and arriving officers found Velez and the injured man, who was taken to a regional trauma center.

Investigators are continuing to review and look for any additional video surveillance from the area.

“We’re actively pursuing leads and attempting to identify other suspects that may have been involved,” Haygood said.

A ‘loving, caring person’

Meanwhile, Velez’s longtime partner spoke Tuesday about the kind of person she was, and the huge role she played in the lives of those who loved her.

“I’m just trying to be strong,” said Kandy Serrano, Velez’s partner of three years. “It’s just hard to see her just gone.”

Serrano knew Velez’s brothers from high school. They reconnected years later on Facebook when Velez reached out to Serrano.

Velez was close to her two teenage sons, and was described as a loving mother who was there for her children.

“They both loved her and she loved them to death,” Serrano said. “Her boys were her world, her everything. I was willing to sacrifice anything so she could be with her boys and make her happy.”

Serrano described Velez as someone with a funny sense of humor, and who was always loving, giving and caring.

“That’s what made me fall in love with her,” Serrano said. “She was always hard on me, but that was for a reason. She loved me and I never expected anyone to take her from me like this and take her from her boys.”

Serrano said she didn’t know who shot up the house and killed her partner.

“I think if I wasn’t here, it would’ve went worse,” Serrano said. “I tried to drag her inside and close the door and just call the cops. I tried to do everything to save her.”

Merced police ask anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Det. Odom at 209-388-7814 or by email at odoms@cityofmerced.org.

Some crimes can be reported through the Merced Police Department website and anonymous tips can be left by calling 209-385-4725.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted to law enforcement through the Merced Area Crime Stoppers website.

This story was originally published November 3, 2021 at 5:00 AM.