May 20, 2023 - Merced Police Department officials report that on May 18, 2023, Jose Kevin Valencia-Zavala (19) of Merced was arrested for murder.

On April 21, 2023, at approximately 7:34 P.M., the Merced Police Department received multiple calls about a shooting in the 1800 block of Grogan Ave. in Merced. Officers responded and located a 20-year-old Kaylie Lynn Allen suffering from a fatal gunshot wound. First responders provided lifesaving efforts, but Allen was pronounced deceased at the scene. Allen was attending a marijuana vendor party at the business complex when the shooting occurred.

Valencia-Zavala, a known gang member, arrived at the party but was denied entry. He got upset and started fighting with other patrons. Valencia-Zavala left momentarily but returned and started shooting at people who were loitering outside the establishment.

Detectives obtained a warrant for Valencia-Zavala’s arrest. Zavala-Valencia was taken into custody after a gang unit officer saw him leaving a motel on E. Childs Avenue in Merced. Valencia-Zavala was booked into the Merced County Jail.

Merced Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this incident to contact Detective Steven Odom at 209-388-7814 or by email at odoms@cityofmerced.org.

Case Number: 2023-00020434

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 & photo: Merced Police Department