Homicide reported in Los Banos
A man was shot to death late Tuesday in Los Banos, police officials said.
The victim is a 20-year-old male. His identity is being withheld, as the investigation was getting underway.
Los Banos police Cmdr. Jason Hedden confirmed the man was shot and killed at 10 p.m. in the 500 block of Ward Road, near a dirt lot. Hedden said police have not ruled out gang involvement.
Hedden would not disclose on what part of the body the victim was shot.
No arrests have been made.
The death marks the 15th homicide of the year in Merced County and the second of the year in Los Banos.
Edward Soriano Ortez, 43, of Los Banos was shot and killed April 24 in the 800 block of E Street in Los Banos. No arrests have been made in that case.
Los Banos had no homicides from 1999 to 2007; since 2008, the city has averaged about one violent death each year, according to police records.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Banos Police Department at 209-827-7070, ext. 0.
To leave an anonymous tip, call 209-827-7070, ext. 288, or go to the Police Department’s Web page at www.losbanos.org. At the bottom of the “Contact” page, click on the “report graffiti and other crime” link. Tipsters also can contact Merced Area Crime Stoppers at (855) 725-2420 or www.mercedareacrimestoppers.org.
Reporter Corey Pride contributed to this article.
This story was originally published July 15, 2015 at 1:21 AM with the headline "Homicide reported in Los Banos."