On March 10, 2019, the Los Banos Police Department arrested 19-year-old Niko Flores on a Merced County Sheriff’s Office murder warrant. The warrant was issued after a long investigation by the Merced County Sheriff’s Office Detectives in regards to a homicide that took place on January 23, 2019, in the Dos Palos Area.

In the early morning hours of January 19, 2019, Merced County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a large party and a report of gunshots in the 21000 Block of Reynolds Avenue in Dos Palos. When deputies arrived, they located two victims. One victim was transported to a Fresno area hospital where he recovered from his injuries. However, the second victim died at the scene.

Shortly after starting their investigation, the Merced County Sheriff’s Office Detectives arrested 22-year-old Dylan Ballard in connection with the Homicide. It was believed at the time that the homicide was a gang-related crime. Sheriff’s Office Detectives continued with the investigation and later issued the warrant for Flores’s arrest.

Detectives are asking anyone with information to contact the Merced County Sheriff’s Office at (209)385-7445. At the recording, press number one. Your information can remain anonymous and may help solve this crime. (Merced Sheriffs press release)