Merced father, son arrested in shooting

An argument between teenagers ended Tuesday in Merced when the father of one of the boys involved shot the other boy, the Merced Police Department reported.

Oscar Fernandez, 37, is accused of shooting 18-year-old Victor Ortiz around 5 p.m. Tuesday in the area of Carmen Way and G Street in Merced, police said in a news release.

Sgt. Curt Gorman, in a telephone interview, said Fernandez’s 19-year-old son, Jose, and Ortiz have a long-standing dispute that Gorman described as “two kids that just don’t like each other.”

“They’re not gang members. They’ve fought in the past and, over the last year or so, the father (Oscar Fernandez) has gotten more involved,” Gorman said.

The Fernandez duo apparently confronted the victim in a city park, words were exchanged and the elder Fernandez shot Ortiz in the right leg, according to police.

Ortiz was taken to a hospital where he was treated and released, Gorman confirmed.

Officers who responded to the scene spotted a speeding vehicle in the area and stopped it. The officers found Oscar and Jose Fernandez and a firearm believed to have been used in the attack.

Oscar Fernandez remained in custody Wednesday on suspicion of assault with a firearm and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Bail was set at $150,000, according to booking records.

Jose Fernandez was also behind bars on suspicion of assault with a firearm and carrying a concealed weapon. His bail was listed at $70,000, according to booking records.

This story was originally published December 2, 2015 at 4:19 PM with the headline "Merced father, son arrested in shooting."