Arrest made in shooting death of 19-year-old woman at Livingston party
A Turlock man was arrested on suspicion of murder in the shooting death of a 19-year old woman in Merced County, according to authorities.
Josiah Lawrence Williams, 22, was arrested on Wednesday, according to a Facebook post by the Merced County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded early Sunday to a reported shooting at a party in the area of Washington Boulevard and Sunset Drive in Livingston.
When deputies arrived on the scene, they located victim Liliana Zaragoza and a female juvenile, who also had been injured in the shooting.
Zaragoza was pronounced dead at the scene.
The juvenile victim was flown to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.
According to Merced County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Michelle Oliver, there has been no update on the juvenile’s condition other than she is recovering.
Zaragoza was attending a party in Livingston at the time of the incident.
Authorities said it is unclear how many people were at the residence at the time of the shooting. A motive for the shooting is unknown at this time.
Williams was transported to the Merced County Jail and charged with murder. His bond was set at $1 million, according to jail records.
A GoFundMe donation page has been created to help with funeral expenses for Zaragoza. Over $23,000 has been donated as of Thursday afternoon.
The Merced County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information about this incident to call their Investigation Bureau at 209-385-7472.
