Planada homicide victim identified

A man shot and killed last week in Planada was identified Monday by the Merced County Coroner’s Office.

Jose Diaz Garcia, 32, of Planada died shortly after 1 a.m. Friday following a shooting in the 300 block of Fancher Avenue, the Merced County Sheriff’s Department said in a news release.

Another Planada resident, Roberto Diaz Garcia, age unavailable, was also shot, but is expected to recover, Sgt. Delray Shelton, a Sheriff’s Department spokesman, said in the statement.

Sheriff’s investigators have declined to comment on the motive for the shooting or say whether any suspects have been identified. No arrests have been made. “The case investigation is still in its infancy stages, so pertinent details are currently unknown and being investigated,” Shelton said.

The death marked the 32nd homicide reported this year in Merced County.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Merced County Sheriff’s Department at (209) 385-7472. Tips are confidential and callers may remain anonymous.

This story was originally published December 29, 2014 at 5:03 PM with the headline "Planada homicide victim identified."