Elya Jerry Aguilar, an 18-year-old from Merced, California, was killed by gunfire on October 8, 2022. The shooting took place in the early morning at a parking structure near M and 19th Street, close to Merced City Hall. Police say they responded to reports of shots fired at about 3:12 a.m., and arrived to find people fleeing on foot and in vehicles; several people at the scene were reportedly armed.

Investigators described the incident as gang-related and involving multiple suspects. A fight broke out and a 16-year-old allegedly opened fire on a vehicle occupied by several people, triggering an exchange of gunfire that left Aguilar dead and three others wounded. The 16-year-old shooter, who was also injured, was arrested on suspicion of murder, shooting at an occupied vehicle, and gang-related charges. A second 16-year-old was taken into custody for attempting to flee with the firearm believed to be the murder weapon.

Two more arrests followed. A 17-year-old went to the police station and was arrested after detectives recovered another firearm at his residence. Separately, 25-year-old Marcos Montoya was arrested on weapons charges after having accidentally shot himself during the incident; officers booked him for negligent discharge of a firearm, carrying a concealed firearm in a public place, and possession of an unregistered firearm.

Anyone with information about the shooting or Aguilar’s activities that night is asked to contact Merced police.