Man arrested in Merced shooting of 5 teens released from jail without charges
A 48-year-old man accused of shooting five teens in downtown Merced was released late Friday, according to the Merced County Sheriff’s Office.
Daniel Mays was arrested late Tuesday, five days after five teens were shot near West 18th and H streets, according to police. Mays is expected to be release by 8 p.m. Friday, according to the Merced County Sheriff’s Office.
Police arrived around 8 p.m. to find four victims with injuries in the area. A fifth victim with non-life threatening injuries later came forward, police said.
One of the five victims remains in critical condition, according to Merced detectives.
Merced Police Capt. Jay Struble said Mays would be released because the Merced County District Attorney’s Office had not filed charges against him by Friday.
“They’re just requesting further follow-up and they’ll re-examine the case, “ Struble said. “We’re doing our due diligence to make sure we get a prosecutable case for the family of the teens who were shot.”
In California, law enforcement is allowed to hold someone in jail for 48 hours without charges. If no charges have been filed, the person is to be released.
Merced County District Attorney’s Office did not immediately return requests for comment.
The Merced Police Special Weapons and Tactics served a search warrant on Tuesday at a home near where the shooting took place five days prior. Mays was arrested without incident, according to police.
Police said evidence was discovered at the home but no firearm has been found. Officers have not spoken publicly about the motive for the shooting.
The family of the youth who is in critical condition has set up a GoFundMe account to help pay for his medical costs.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective John Pinnegar at 209-388-7712 or the Merced Police Department Tipster Line at 209-385-4725.
This story was originally published February 7, 2020 at 3:25 PM.
