In the late afternoon of February 25, 2026, a dispute at Applegate Park in Merced tragically escalated, ending the life of 23-year-old Kashawn Kraz Bradley. A Black male, Bradley was at the park located near 25th and P Streets when an argument broke out. The verbal confrontation turned violent when gunfire erupted, leaving Bradley with multiple gunshot wounds. First responders arrived at the scene around 2:45 p.m. to find him critically injured.
They administered life-saving measures until he could be transported to a local hospital, but he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
The Merced Police Department quickly launched a homicide investigation into the shooting, which sent shockwaves through the local community as Applegate Park is a popular public space. Detectives began processing the scene and interviewing witnesses. At the time of the shooting, several other people were in the park, but no one else was harmed. Investigators worked swiftly to identify a person of interest from the evidence and statements they collected. Their efforts led them to 18-year-old Ryan Santos.
Less than two days after the fatal shooting, on February 26, 2026, authorities located and arrested Ryan Santos in connection with Kashawn Bradley's death. While an arrest has been made, the investigation remains active and ongoing. Detectives have not yet released details regarding the motive behind the argument that led to the deadly encounter. The police department continues to encourage anyone with information about the incident, including witness accounts or surveillance footage, to come forward to assist with the case. In the wake of this sudden loss, a GoFundMe campaign was organized by Janiya Neely to help cover funeral and memorial expenses for Kashawn Bradley.
