New details emerge in Merced homicide at D Street apartment complex
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CORRECTION: Police have not found a murder weapon in the investigation into the death of Bettyann Choates. A prior version of this story contained incorrect information.
Moments before she was gunned down in Merced over the summer, Bettyann Choates’ boyfriend exchanged words with the man police say then opened fire, killing the 22-year-old woman, according to Merced police reports obtained by the Sun-Star.
Choates was shot and killed June 16 in the parking lot of the Sunnyside Apartment complex in southeast Merced.
Detectives in November arrested Daniel Valencia-Pulido, a man investigators described as a well-known gang member who owned the vehicle police believe was used in the attack.
Police have said Valencia-Pulido was identified as the suspected shooter after an extensive investigation. Police have said surveillance video footage also helped investigators identify a suspect.
Reports from detectives shed new light on what happened that night, but the reports have little to say on any possible motive.
A white pickup truck had been seen driving around the parking lot for several minutes before the violence erupted. Choates and the boyfriend — whose name is redacted in the reports — were returning to the boyfriend’s apartment from Choates’ house when the driver of the truck stopped them outside.
Words were exchanged, but the reports don’t make clear what was said. At some point, Choates’ boyfriend opened fire, later telling investigators he believed the driver was armed. He said he was acting in self-defense.
Choates was struck during the ensuing gunfight. She was rushed to a Modesto hospital, where she later died. The driver of the pickup truck sped away on D Street.
Merced police found the truck in mid-July. The truck had been torched.
According to Merced police reports, Valencia-Pulido has a history of arrests and run-ins with law enforcement and has previously reported cars stolen that were also used in crimes.
Valencia-Pulido remains in custody on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, among other charges. Bail is set at more than $2.3 million.
This story was originally published December 13, 2021 at 1:12 PM.