November 5, 2025 – Merced California Highway Patrol officials report that the Central Division Major Crimes Unit continues to investigate the 2021 freeway shooting that claimed the life of 25-year-old Timothy Lamore Sheeler Jr. on southbound SR-99 near Franklin Road in Merced County.

Detectives now believe the suspect vehicle is a late-model silver Volkswagen Passat, captured on surveillance video in the City of Atwater prior to the incident. The motive remains unclear, but Timothy’s family and CHP investigators are asking anyone with information—no matter how small—to come forward.

Contact:

Detective O. Martinez – (209) 321-0089

CHP Merced Comm. Center – (209) 356-2900

Reference Case #: 21-460-0665

Anonymous Tips:

Call 1-855-725-2420, text “MERCED” + your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or submit online at https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=1037.

Source & photo: Merced CHP