Murder charges filed in slaying of Merced teenager

A suspected Merced gang member has been charged with murder in connection with the death last year of a teenager, the Merced County District Attorney’s Office said.

Francisco L. Arciga, 18, briefly appeared in court Wednesday before Judge Mark V. Bacciarini facing murder, weapons and street-gang charges in connection with the death of 15-year-old Luis Angel Zavaleta. He did not enter a plea and was ordered to return Aug. 10 for arraignment in Merced Superior Court, according to records.

Zavaleta was fatally shot May 7, 2014, in the 600 block of West Eight Street in Merced.

Merced police last week formally accused Arciga of acting as the gunman in the homicide. Authorities are also seeking two other men in connection with Zavaleta’s death, prosecutors confirmed Wednesday.

Warrants have been issued for Jose Juan Hernandez, 29, and Luis Angel Rojas, 25, both of Winton, said Deputy District Attorney Mathew Martinez. Details of the warrants were not available Wednesday.

Arciga was already in custody last week in Merced County, facing charges of attempted murder and assault in several unrelated cases, police said.

Merced police said Arciga was the driver and a gunman in a drive-by shooting in June 2014. Three people were shot in the 500 block of M Street.

Arciga also has been charged with shooting a woman in the leg Oct. 25, 2014, outside a Canal Street bar. Arciga additionally has been charged with shooting at a home on Nov. 11, 2014, in the1600 block of Cypress Way. He has pleaded not guilty in each case, authorities have said.

Arciga remains in custody at the John Latorraca Correctional Facility on more than $4 million bail.

This story was originally published July 29, 2015 at 3:53 PM with the headline "Murder charges filed in slaying of Merced teenager."