At approximately 2:35 p.m. Friday, June 9, Los Banos police officers and firefighters were dispatched to the 1300 block of Tanner Road near Pacheco Boulevard for a report of shooting, according to Los Banos Police Commander Ray Reyna.
Upon arrival emergency personnel found 36-year-old Peter Robert Noriega Jr. suffering from a gunshot wound to his upper torso and officers attempted to render medical aid. He was transported to Memorial Hospital Los Banos where he succumbed to his injuries.
Reyna said it’s the first Los Banos homicide of 2023.
Detectives responded to the scene and took over the investigation. During the course of the investigation, Detectives identified 28-year-old Jay Romero of Los Banos as the suspect in this case and believe Romero and the victim were involved in a dispute just prior to the shooting.
Romero was located shortly after 9:30 p.m. in the City of Merced, where Los Banos Detectives took him into custody with the assistance of the Merced Police Department. Romero was booked into the Merced Main Jail, charged with murder. Investigators believe Romero acted alone.
Anyone with information pertaining to this incident is asked to call Los Banos Police Detective Stephen O’Day at (209) 827-2554.
