2 teens arrested in gunfire near Atwater home; no injuries

Two teenage gang members were arrested Tuesday after they allegedly opened fire on a home in Atwater, the Police Department reported.

Multiple shots were fired just after 1 p.m. at an occupied trailer in the 2300 block of Atwater Boulevard, Lt. Samuel Joseph confirmed.

No injuries were reported.

Shortly after the report came in, an Atwater police officer spotted two male teenagers running in the area of the 1300 block of Vine Circle. One of the teenagers threw a firearm over a nearby fence, Joseph said.

The suspects, ages 14 and 16, were arrested at gunpoint. Officers found the firearm, a Colt .45-caliber handgun, which had been reported stolen out of Merced. Investigators also found numerous shell casings at the scene of the shooting.

Police said the motive for the shooting was gang-related, but did not elaborate. “They both confessed to their involvement,” Joseph said.

He described both suspects as known gang members.

They were booked into Merced County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. Police said additional allegations could be added to the case later.

Joseph praised the fast work of the investigators and officers who quickly captured the suspects.

This story was originally published December 30, 2014 at 4:25 PM with the headline "2 teens arrested in gunfire near Atwater home; no injuries."