October 22, 2026 – Merced County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on October 20th at around 4:00 P.M., deputies were dispatched to the 7000 block of Shaffer Road in Winton regarding a possible shooting.

When deputies arrived, they located the victim with a gunshot wound who was transported to a local area hospital for treatment.

Deputies searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect at this time but identified two persons of interest, 25-year-old Joanna Mendoza and 44-year-old Samuel Rojas. Deputies issued a “be on the lookout” for the suspects to surrounding agencies.

Around 11:00 P.M. Turlock Police Department located and detained both suspects. Merced County Sheriff’s Office investigators met with Turlock Police Department Officers and took custody of both suspects. Rojas was arrested and booked into the Merced County Jail for attempted murder and Mendoza was arrested for accessory to attempted murder.

We would like to thank Turlock Police Department for their assistance and collaboration during this incident. If you have an anonymous tip you need to report, please call 209.385.7547 or email: SheriffTips@countyofmerced.com.

Source: Merced County Sheriff’s Office