On April 24th, 2020, at approximately 12:48 AM, Merced Police Department Communication Center received a call of shots fired in the 2600 block of 8th Avenue.

When officers arrived they located a residence with several bullet strikes. Officers located several cartridge casings at the scene.

At 2:22 AM Merced Police Department Communications Center received another call of a home being struck by bullets in the 1100 block of Evening Star.

While at the Evening Star address, officers learned the victims received notification from another family member that their residence was also struck by gunfire.

The third residence is in the 2800 block of Santa Cruz Court, At both of these locations, cartridge casings were found.

Officers learned that the victims of the three shootings were all family members. They also learned of some recent problems with suspect William Pia. When officers went to Pia’s home, he was uncooperative and made statements regarding the shootings.

Detectives obtained a search warrant for the home, in the 3700 block of Quail Avenue.

Merced Police Officers were able to talk the individuals out of the residence in the 3700 block of Quail Avenue. There were six individuals detained and questioned regarding the shootings.

Upon serving the warrant, officers located two handguns, ammunition, gloves and ski masks. There was also controlled substances located, which appeared to be for the sale of narcotics.

As Detectives questioned 20-year-old William Pia he confessed to committing all three shootings.

Detectives determined that William Pia was with 19-year-old Brandon Darrett, 20-year-old Johnny Shamoun and 18-year-old Joseph Pia during the shootings.

All subjects were arrested for shooting at three inhabited dwellings and conspiracy for their involvement.

Merced Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this crime to contact Detective Salyers at (209) 388-7771.

The public can send information via anonymous text messages to police department by dialing “TIP411” (847411) and including the word “Comvip” as the “keyword” in the text message