Merced man trying to break up family fight shoots 22-year-old in head, police say
A 22-year-old Merced man was killed when a family argument turned into an accidental shooting late Saturday night, according to the Merced Police Department.
Fernando Gutierrez, 26 of Merced, has been arrested and booked into the Merced County jail on charges of involuntary manslaughter, according to Merced police Lt. Jose Barajas.
The victim, whose name has not been released, was killed by a single shotgun blast to the head.
Gutierrez was trying to stop the argument by shooting a shotgun in the air, according to statements made to Merced police.
According to Barajas, officers were called to the scene of a residence in the 1000 block of O Street in Merced at 9:35 p.m.
According to statements, the shooting was accidental, Barajas said.
Gutierrez remained at the scene and was cooperative with police, Barajas said.
According to Barajas, family members were “hanging out and drinking” when an argument escalated into an altercation.
Gutierrez was booked into jail at around 2 a.m. Sunday.
