AnonymousUpdate by Santa Maria Police Department
The victim in this homicide has been identified as Mario Angel Merino Gonzalez, age 19, from Guadalupe, CA.
Santa Maria Police Detectives are continuing with this investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Santa Maria Police Department at 805-928-3781, ext. 2277 or the tip line at 805-928-3781, ext. COPS (2766).
Source: Santa Maria Police Department
On Sunday, May 16, 2021, at about 0206 hours, Santa Maria Police Officers were dispatched to a reported shooting in the area of Lincoln and Mill. Upon arrival, officers located a male subject lying in the middle of the street with apparent gunshot wounds. Medical personnel arrived on scene and pronounced the death.
The initial invesigation revealed the subject engaged in a verbal altercation with a group of people. During the argument, a subject produced a weapon and shot the victim. At this time, there isn’t any suspect information available.
The victim’s name is being withheld pending notification to the next of kin. Anyone with information related to this investigation is urged to contact the Santa Maria Police Department at 805-928-3781 ext. 2277 or they can call our tip line at 805-928-3781, ext. COPS (2677).
