Fourth suspect arrested in connection with Merced County shooting that injured two juveniles
A fourth suspect has been arrested in connection with the attempted murder of two juveniles in Merced County, according to authorities.
Suspect Saul Lomeli Jr., 24, was arrested in Shafter on Oct. 19, after Merced County deputies identified him as a suspect in a Sept. 23, 2023, attempted double homicide in Winton, according to Merced County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Domingue.
Lomeli was booked into Merced County jail on suspicion of felony attempted murder and participating in criminal street gang as well as a probation violation, according to jail records. He remains in custody in lieu of $1,050,000 bond.
The Merced County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Bureau contacted the Shafter Police Department who located Lomeli and took him into custody. According to authorities, three other suspects identified as Joseph Herrera, 33, Irvin Delacruz, 19, and Nathaniel Barrios, 19, were also arrested on suspicion of various charges including attempted murder in connection with the shooting.
Just before 11 p.m. on Sept. 23, deputies responded to multiple reports of shots fired in the 6900 block of Center Street in Winton, according to Domingue. Deputies located two juveniles suffering from multiple wounds who were transported to a trauma center for treatment.
Deputies located shell casings from multiple firearms at the scene. According to Domingue, it is unclear just what the juveniles were doing at the time of the shooting which is believed to be gang-related.
According to the sheriff’s office, the shooting remains under investigation.
