April 8, 2023 - Merced – Merced Police Department officials report that on April 7, 2023, the Merced Police Departments Gang Violence Suppression Unit arrested a male suspect wanted for attempted homicide.

On April 1, 2023, at approximately 1:11 A.M. Merced police officers were dispatched to a shooting that occurred at East Yosemite Parkway and Glen Ave. Officers located a victim suffering a gunshot wound in the 700 block of Motel Dr. Officers also found the victims vehicle that appeared to have been shot numerous times. The victim was transported to a Modesto area hospital where they remained in stable condition.

As investigators followed up on the case, they located numerous places with surveillance video footage. Gang officers were able to identify that there were several suspects in the shooting from the video surveillance. One of these subjects was identified as Steven Vasquez (34), a known gang member. A warrant was issued for Vasquez arrest and on April 7, 2023, Merced PD gang officers located Vasquez in the 300 block of South Parsons Ave.

Vasquez was arrested and booked into Merced County Jail on his warrant for Attempted Homicide, possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person and gang enhancements.

Merced PD Case Number: 23-16539

Merced Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this crime to contact Officer Justin Saldivar at 209-388-7735 or by email at SaldivarJ@CityofMerced.org.

Other ways to contact us or report crime include:

For any emergency call or text 911

For non-emergency call 209-385-6912

Anonymous Tip Line (Non-emergency) call 209-385-4725

Anonymous Tips online at http://www.MercedAreaCrimeStoppers.org/index.html.

Some crimes can be reported online through the Merced PD website https://www.CityofMerced.org/departments/police.

Source: Merced Police Department