A man was shot to death Saturday at the Los Banos Fairgrounds during an altercation at a quinceañera where he was working as a security guard, according to the Merced County Sheriff’s Office.
Alexandra Garcia, spokeswoman for the sheriff’s office, said there was an altercation that led to multiple gunshots being fired. She said the adult male victim, identified as Kody Pena, 31, of Los Banos, was struck several times and pronounced dead at the scene.
Garcia said the sheriff’s office has identified 21-year-old Gabriel Angel Salas of Sacramento as the suspect wanted for homicide. Salas was had not been captured as of press time.
During the night of the shooting the scene became chaotic.
Emergency services were contacted via 911 at approximately 11 p.m. Garcia said deputies were on the scene at 11:12 p.m. Conversation broadcast over the police scanner in the immediate aftermath of the shooting indicated law enforcement had a difficult time making its way through the crowd. The O’Banion Building, where the quinceanera was held, reportedly had people fleeing from every exit after the gunshots rang out.
Paramedics could be heard over the scanner requesting police come inside and provide security while they attempted to save the victim’s life.
Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact the sheriff’s detectives bureau at (209) 385-7472, or you can leave an anonymous tip at the sheriff’s office tipline at )209) 385-7547 or SheriffTips@countyofmerced.com.
