Man arrested in connection with fatal shooting of teenager in Merced

MERCED, Calif. (KFSN) — Merced police have a man in custody charged in the fatal shooting of a teenager.

The suspect is identified as 27-year-old John Flores.

Investigators say he was arrested Thursday after serving a search warrant at a home at Highway 59 and Mission Avenue.

Flores is accused of the Sept. 9 murder of a 15-year-old boy identified by his family as Mario Fertini.

The shooting occurred on Bear Creek Drive near Brookside Drive.

Investigators believe Flores is a known gang member.

He is booked into the Merced County Jail on a $1 million bond.

Merced Police are now asking for the public’s help in identifying the second suspect in this case.