April 18, 2023 - Merced Police Department officials reported that on April 17, 2023, the Merced Police Department was notified that 10-year-old Anthony Duran passed away. Anthony Duran sustained injuries as a result of an incident on Wednesday, April 13, 2023, at Rockin’ Jump located at 1230 W. Main St. in Merced.
Witnesses reported seeing Duran playing basketball inside the establishment when he and another child got into a brief physical altercation. As a result, Duran collapsed and the other juvenile fled on foot. Duran was transported to a regional trauma center but unfortunately did not survive.
The incident was captured on the establishment’s security video. Detectives reviewed the video surveillance and obtained statements from 35 people including staff, parents, and children who were at the scene when the incident occurred. Additionally, detectives identified the other youth involved in the altercation and have been in contact with the parents throughout this investigation.
Detectives continue to work with medical staff and the Merced County Coroner’s Office who are performing an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
The Merced Police Department is reviewing this incident with the Merced County District Attorney to determine if charges will be filed.
Merced Police are asking anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Detective Edwin Arias at 209-388-7826 or by email at ariase@cityofmerced.org.
Case Number: 2023-00018936
Other ways to contact the Merced Police Department 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