On Sunday, August 23rd, 2020, at approximately 9:30 pm, the Turlock Police Department received multiple calls reporting four to five shots heard and then a black vehicle speeding away in the 3400 block of Rochester Ct. While officers were responding to the area to investigate, another call was received with someone reporting that they overheard someone saying that they have blood on them. When officers arrived on scene, they found six shotgun shells, but no one reporting injuries. Shortly later, a call was received from a female stating that her boyfriend was shot and that she self-transported him to a local hospital.

During the investigation, officers learned that there was a domestic dispute that escalated and then resulted in a adult male being shot. Luckily, the injuries were not life threatening. Detectives responded to the scene and the hospital to investigate. Detectives learned that the suspect was Richard Merrill, 25, of Turlock and that he was the person who had sped off in the black vehicle. Original reports from other family members were that the suspect was headed to another family member’s home in Oakdale, however, the suspect later arrived at the Turlock Police Department to surrender himself and his firearm. He was booked into Stanislaus County Public Safety Center on charges of attempted murder.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Tim Redd at 209-664-7325 or by email at TRedd@turlock.ca.us. You can also leave an anonymous tip at the Turlock Police Department’s tip line at 209-668-5550 extension 6780 or by email at tpdtipline@turlock.ca.us.