Authorities are investigating a fatal stabbing that occurred in Merced on Christmas eve.

Merced police officers responded to the 2600 block of 1st Street at around 10:54 Friday night for reports of a stabbing.

When officers arrived, they located the victim, the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The suspect was also on scene and was taken into custody without incident.

Witnesses at the scene described an altercation that took place between the victim and suspect. The suspect was identified as 32-year-old Aaron David Barron of Delhi.

The victim’s identity is being withheld pending notification to the next of kin.

Barron was arrested for murder and booked into the Merced County Jail.

Merced Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this incident to contact Detective John Pinnegar at (209)388-7712 or by email at pinnegarj@cityofmerced.org.