Merced man shot while driving vehicle, police say
One man was shot late Saturday while driving a vehicle on the south side of the city, Merced police said.
The victim’s name was not released. He was described by police as a 20-year-old man.
Sgt. Brian Rodriguez said the man was driving a sedan just after 9:30 p.m. in south Merced when he was shot at least once by an unidentified person. Investigators believe the shooting occurred somewhere in the area of West 13th and R streets.
No arrests have been made and no suspect descriptions have been released.
Police declined to comment on a motive for the shooting.
The victim apparently continued driving his vehicle until he reached the strip mall at the corner of 16th and G streets. Merced police officers found him “conscious and alert” and “suffering from gunshot wounds” in the parking lot near a Subway sandwich restaurant, Rodriguez said.
He was rushed to a regional hospital. His injuries were described by police as serious and potentially life threatening.
Rodriguez said the victim was in stable condition early Sunday.
Officers roped off the strip mall parking lot for investigation. Additionally, police closed several streets in south Merced, including the area of W and Ninth streets and Eighth Street and West Avenue.
Several officers with flashlights were seen on foot searching the 800 block of West Avenue and the 800 block of W Street.
Residents in south Merced, who declined to be identified due to safety concerns, said they heard numerous gunshots, but estimates varied.
Police are asking anyone with any information to contact Detective Chris Russell at 209-385-4707, or the Merced Police Department Tipster Line at 209-385-4725. The public can send information via anonymous text messages to the Police Department by dialing “TIP411” (847411) and including the word “ComVIP” as the “keyword” in the text message.
This story was originally published September 20, 2015 at 3:35 AM with the headline "Merced man shot while driving vehicle, police say."