Armed and Dangerous Suspect Wanted for Murder 

September 2, 2026 – Merced County Sheriff's Office officials report that on August 29, 2026, at 11:12 p.m., Deputies responded to a private event at the Los Banos Fairgrounds for a report of a shooting. They located a security guard identified as 31-year-old Kody Pena suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Pena was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Sheriff's Detectives identified the suspect as 21-year-old Gabriel Angel Salas from Sacramento. Salas is described as a Hispanic male with hazel eyes, long black hair, 5’10’’ in height, with a medium build. Salas is wanted for murder and believed to be in the West Sacramento area and is considered armed and dangerous. If you see Salas, please do not approach him and call 9-1-1.

Related: Security Guard Killed in Shooting at Los Banos Fairgrounds During Private Event

Anyone with information regarding this case or the whereabouts of Gabriel Salas is urged to contact our Detectives Bureau at 209.385.7472, or you can leave an anonymous tip at the Sheriff’s Office tip line at 209.385.7547 or SheriffTips@countyofmerced.com.

Source & photo: Merced County Sheriff's Office