August 3, 2025 – Merced County Sheriff's Office officials report that at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, Merced County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the 6400 block of Columbus Avenue in Hilmar for a welfare check. Family members reported hearing a gunshot coming from a separate residence on the property.

Upon arrival, deputies found the front door of the home wide open with a box of ammunition on the front porch. Inside, they located a male subject laying down who made suicidal statements and was later observed pacing inside the home while armed with a rifle and handgun. Despite repeated requests, the subject refused to disarm and exit the residence.

Deputies attempted to communicate with the subject, but the subject refused to respond. SWAT team negotiators arrived and made further attempts at verbal contact, but the subject threw his phone outside the house.

Over the next several hours, deputies used a public address system to make announcements. After about seven hours, two gunshots were heard from within the residence—one of which exited through a wall. No injuries were reported at that point.

A remotely operated camera was deployed to conduct a welfare check, but the subject fired at the device. He then began shooting at deputies, striking the Sheriff’s Office armored vehicle. Fortunately, the deputies inside and near the vehicle were uninjured.

Due to the escalating actions by the subject deputies deployed tear gas into the residence. After continued attempts at negotiation, the mobile camera was once again deployed. The subject was located on the ground with what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

The subject was transported to a local area trauma center and is in critical condition at this time

This remains an active and ongoing investigation.

Further updates will be provided as information becomes available.

Source: Merced County Sheriff's Office