2003 Cold Case Homicide 

October 4, 2023 - Merced – Merced Police Department officials report that on the evening of October 3, 2003, 18-year-old Ismael Alcaraz was shot and killed in the 3100 block of Meadows Avenue in Merced.  Alcaraz was a passenger in a vehicle that was travelling through the area when he was shot.

In 2003, an extensive investigation was conducted, however the case went unsolved. Detectives have continued to work on the case and follow-up on leads with the hopes of finding the person(s) responsible for Ismael’s murder.  His family continues to reach out to detectives in hopes that one day this case will be solved.

The Merced Police Department is committed to solving cold cases along with our current cases in an effort to hold those responsible for committing violent crimes in our community. With advancements in technology and forensics, cold cases are reviewed regularly to re-evaluate evidence and search for new leads.

Merced Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this incident to contact Detective Christian Lupian at (209) 388-7844 or by email at lupianc@cityofmerced.org.

Case Number: 2003-00050308

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