At approximately 6:56 a.m. Merced Police and Medical Personnel responded to the area of V Street and Main Street for a man down.

Upon arrival police located a Hispanic male in his late 20’s deceased on a vacant lot. At this time, investigators say the deceased person appeared to have injuries consistent to some type of struggle.

Merced Police say this happened sometime last night and are calling it a suspicious death.

Investigators are gathering evidence and the scene remains under investigation. Merced Police say to please avoid the area. The intersection of V street and Main will remain closed for several hours.

Merced Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this crime to contact the Merced Police Department at (209) 385-6912 or the Merced Police Department Tipster Line at (209) 385-4725. 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.