June 17, 2023 – Merced – Merced Police Department officials report that on June 16, 2023, at approximately 7:30 P.M., the Merced Police Departments Gang Violence Suppression Unit arrested a Merced man for shooting at an inhabited dwelling, for firearms charges and for a violation of probation.
On June 12, 2023, at approximately 9:50 P.M., Merced Police Officers responded to 314 West 19th Street for a report of a shooting. When officers arrived, they learned that a man fired several shots into the apartment building after a disturbance. The investigation identified Lekxai Soulanone (49), a known gang member on probation as the suspect in the shooting.
On June 16, 2023, an arrest warrant was obtained for Soulanone for shooting at an inhabited dwelling. Soulanone was located in the 500 block of Granada Ct. in Merced. Upon doing a probation search, a loaded 9mm handgun was located. Soulanone was arrested for his warrant, for several firearm related charges and for a violation of probation. He was booked into Merced County Jail.
Merced PD Case Number: 23-30439
Merced Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this crime to contact Officer Centeno at 209-388-7742 or by email at CentenoA@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 & photo: Merced Police Department
