California Police say A 14-year-old boy was selling drugs and chasing prostitutes out of his house when he shot and killed a man after an argument.
The incident happened around 4 p.m. Saturday at a home on Conestoga Drive near Austin Avenue in Merced.
“Crime in the area has been steadily worsening in recent years.”
Merced Police Sergeant Jeremy Salyers said officers responded to a report of a disturbance at a residence and found a 41-year-old man inside the home suffering from a single gunshot wound. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police determined the shooting suspect lived at the home but fled after the incident.
“This shooting occurred over possible drug sales and prostitution occurring within the home,” he added.
police Said The boy fled to San Jose after the shooting but was located with the help of surveillance video and witnesses. He was arrested at a motel around 3 p.m. Monday.
The boy was charged with murder and incarcerated at the Iris Garrett Juvenile Correctional Facility.
Investigators determined there were two other adults and one minor in the home, but no other arrests were made.
Saliyars also warned parents to protect their children from harmful influences.
“There’s a lot going on with social media these days, and in the music industry and elsewhere, there’s a lot of glorification of prostitution and drug sales,” he said.
“So it’s important to keep kids busy, playing sports, participating in summer activities, and keeping them out of this stuff and out on the streets,” he added.
Police are yet to find the weapon used in the incident and investigations are ongoing.
Area residents told KFSN-TV they weren’t surprised by the latest violent incident because crime in the area has steadily worsened in recent years.
“I no longer go out, I no longer walk on the streets, I no longer walk my dog at night,” one resident said.
Merced is a city of approximately 91,000 people located in the San Joaquin Valley between Fresno and San Francisco.
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