The California highway patrol is investigating a shooting on Southbound 99 near Merced.

Officers responded at approximately 2:31 to Southbound 99 near the Franklin road overpass for reports from a witness of a freeway shooting.

When officers from the California Highway Patrol arrived, they located a single vehicle stopped in the center divider on southbound SR-99 south of Franklin Road.

25-year-old Timothy Sheeler Jr. was located with a single gunshot wound inside the vehicle. Lifesaving measures were immediately started and taken over when medical personnel arrived on scene, unfortunately, the victim died at the scene.

Caltrans assisted with a hard closure for southbound SR-99 at Atwater Merced Expressway to assist with the investigation, the freeway is now open.

This incident is under investigation and the CHP Merced Area Office is requesting any witnesses to the shooting to please contact Investigator V. Villegas at (209) 356-6631. For after hours, contact the CHP Merced Area Office at (209) 356-2900. For media inquiries, please contact Public Information Officer Eric C. Zuniga at (209) 356-6608.