On September 16, 2019, the Merced County Sheriff’s Office received a report that a man had been shot in the head.

Deputies responded to UPS on South Highway 59 where the victim, a UPS worker, reported he was walking on Cone Avenue when he heard a gunshot and realized he had been shot in the head. Luckily, the victim only received minor injuries.

Over the next several days Merced County Sheriff’s Office Detectives investigated the crime.

A collaborative effort between Detectives and the Merced County Probation Department led to a probation search at a home on Cone Ave. Detectives located a stolen vehicle and other items, which Detectives believed to be associated with the shooting.

Detectives also identified the suspect in the shooting as Jesse Padilla Jr and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

On September 19, 2019, the Merced County Sheriff’s Office STAR Team located and arrested Padilla in the 300 Block of South Parsons Avenue. Padilla was booked into the Merced County Jail for assault with a firearm.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call the Merced County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Bureau at (209)385-7472