Damian Wheaton

A late-night tragedy shattered the peace on a summer evening in Merced, California, leaving a man dead and a community searching for answers. Damian Wheaton, a 47-year-old male resident of Merced, was killed on Sunday, July 16, 2023, in a sudden act of violence that authorities are still working to fully understand. His life was cut short, and the person investigators believe is responsible remains at large.

The incident unfolded at approximately 11:36 p.m. in the 1200 block of R Street, near West 12th Street. The Merced Police Department received numerous calls reporting a shooting in the residential neighborhood. Officers were dispatched to the scene, and upon their arrival, they discovered Damian Wheaton suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency medical personnel were called and performed life-saving measures, but Wheaton’s injuries were too severe. He was pronounced dead at the scene, his life ending on the pavement of the quiet street.

Merced Police detectives and crime scene personnel immediately launched a homicide investigation. They canvassed the area, searching for potential witnesses and any available video surveillance that might have captured the shooting or the moments leading up to it. In the weeks that followed, investigators worked to piece together the evidence. Their efforts led them to identify a primary suspect in the killing: Eruvey Deoro Muzquiz, who was 27 years old at the time of the incident.

By August 2023, authorities had secured a warrant for Muzquiz's arrest in connection with Wheaton's murder. However, investigators believe Muzquiz fled the area immediately after the shooting. The Merced Police Department released his name and photograph to the public, asking for assistance in locating him. The motive for the shooting has not been disclosed by law enforcement, and it remains unclear what relationship, if any, existed between Wheaton and Muzquiz. The case is a stark reminder of the sudden and often inexplicable nature of violent crime.

As months turned into years, the search for the suspect continued. In February 2026, the Merced Police Department renewed its public appeal for information regarding the whereabouts of Eruvey Deoro Muzquiz, who was by then 30 years old. Authorities stressed that he was considered a fugitive and warned the public not to approach him. The persistence of law enforcement highlights the unresolved nature of the case and the ongoing quest for justice for Damian Wheaton.

The investigation into Damian Wheaton’s death remains open and active. As of the latest reports in February 2026, no arrests had been made, and Eruvey Deoro Muzquiz was still wanted for murder. The Merced Police Department continues to seek any information that could lead to an arrest and bring closure to the case. They urge anyone with knowledge of the incident or the location of Muzquiz to come forward. Detective Edwin Arias is the lead investigator, and tips can be directed to him at (209) 388-7826 or [email protected]. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to the department’s tip line at (209) 385-4725 or through the Merced Area Crime Stoppers.