On the evening of May 13, 2024, at approximately 8:00 p.m., Merced Police officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 1700 block of Conestoga Drive in Merced, California. Upon arrival, they discovered 36-year-old Dennis Xiong suffering from a single gunshot wound. Despite prompt medical attention, Xiong was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators identified 19-year-old Adrian Rocha as the primary suspect in the shooting, alleging him to be the gunman responsible for Xiong's
death. Additionally, two individuals, both aged 29—Aaron Ortez and Ramon Preciado—were identified as persons of interest who were reportedly with Rocha during the incident. As of September 2024, all three men remained at large, with the firearm used in the crime yet to be recovered.
In an effort to apprehend the suspects, the Xiong family collaborated with Crime Stoppers to offer a $10,000 reward for information leading to Rocha's arrest. Authorities urged the public to exercise caution if encountering these individuals, considering them potentially armed and dangerous. The Merced Police Department encouraged anyone with relevant information to contact Detective Edwin Arias at 209-388-7826 or via email at [email protected].
The tragic death of Dennis Xiong has deeply affected the Merced community, prompting law enforcement to intensify their efforts to bring those responsible to justice. As the investigation continues, authorities remain hopeful that public assistance will lead to the swift apprehension of the suspects involved in this case.
