Teen wanted for stabbing and killing man inside car in Merced, police say

The search is on for a teenage suspect after a man was stabbed and killed while sitting in his car in Merced on Tuesday night.

Merced police say the stabbing happened around 8:30 pm in a neighborhood on Alviso Drive and Baxter Drive near Merino Park.

Investigators say the victim was in an argument with a teen while sitting in his car that led to the stabbing.

"When they arrived on scene, they located an adult male subject who appeared to have some puncture wounds to his torso. We rendered aid with Riggs ambulance service. Unfortunately, the victim was pronounced deceased from his wounds," said Merced Police Lt. Leon Pintanona.

Zeke Moses lives in the area and heard the commotion.

"I just heard a woman screaming a lot and kind of like that, so I looked outside, and there were police cars," said Moses.

Two years ago in the same house, a husband was accused of murdering his wife in a separate incident.

Both situations are now keeping neighbors alert.

"I wouldn't say it worries me too much, but at the same time you always have to keep an eye on what's going on around you," said Moses.

In this case, police identified the suspect as a teenager, and believe there is no threat to the community's safety.

"None of the crimes that we've had of violence this year have been random. A lot of them have a history between them, some of them family disputes. This one appears to be leading that way," said Lt. Pintanona.

Police say this marks the seventh homicide in the city this year.

The victim has not yet been identified.

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