Tractor drive-by gunman arrested in Planada, deputies say

MERCED, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – A man was arrested following a shooting that occurred in Planada Monday morning, according to the Merced County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies say they received a call early Monday morning about a shooting at Dana Court. While en route, they were notified that the shooting suspect was on a tractor shooting at a residence.

When deputies arrived at the residence, the Merced County Sheriff’s Office says they were not able to locate the suspect but did find a Kubota tractor parked in front of a residence along with shell casings.

Deputies say upon reviewing surveillance footage, they found that the suspect had been shooting toward a house. While searching the area, dispatch received a call from a nearby neighbor saying someone was in their backyard. Deputies searched the backyard and found the suspect hiding in the backyard with a rifle.

The suspect was later identified as Antonio Mendoza.

Mendoza was arrested and booked into the Merced County Jail for shooting at a dwelling, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and felony vandalism, officials say.

No injuries occurred during this incident.

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