Merced police make arrest in connection with fatal shooting of 15-year-old

A 27-year-old Merced man has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old youth last month in the 1800 block of West North Bear Creek Drive, Merced.

John Flores was booked Thursday morning in the Merced County Jail on charges of homicide in the Sept. 9 shooting.

Merced police have arrested 27-year-old John Flores in connection to the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old teenager.

The victim, also a Merced resident, suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.

“It appears [the motive] was gang-related,” said Sgt. Jeremy Salyers.

Bail for Flores has been set at $1 million, and he is scheduled for a court appearance n Merced County Superior Court on Oct. 29, according to the Merced County Sheriff website.

Police believe Flores did not act alone, and are asking for the community’s help to identify the second suspect.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Edwin Arias at (209) 388-7826 or AriasE@CityofMerced.org, or Investigations Supervisor, Sergeant Jeremy Salyers, at 209-388-7771 or SalyersJ@CityofMerced.org.