35-year-old domestic violence suspect shot and killed by Fresno police identified
A domestic violence incident turned deadly.
Police responded to a domestic disturbance at West Pointe Apartments in northwest Fresno on Saturday.
"When officers arrived on scene, they contacted the victim, who advised them that her boyfriend had strangled her unconscious and that she escaped the apartment with her baby where she called 911," says Fresno Police Chief Mindy Casto.
Officers tried to get into the apartment, but the door was blocked.
Chief Casto says officers were able to get inside but the suspect, who has been identified as 35-year-old Joseph Merical, was swinging knives at officers.
Police repositioned themselves and tried to get Merical out of the apartment.
Chief Casto says the suspect refused, only to exit the apartment several hours after negotiations with police.
"He charged down the stairs from the second-story apartment towards officers, armed with two knives," Casto said. "At which time they played less lethal ammunition. That was not successful, and lethal force was used."
Merical was taken to the hospital, where he later died.
Gisela Merical says the two were married. She has set up a donation page to help with funeral costs.
On the website, she describes him as loyal, joyful and full of life.
In the post, Merical is also said to have suffered from severe depression and poor mental health.
Action News has uncovered court documents that reveal the suspect was convicted of domestic violence-related charges in 2023 and sentenced to over three years in state prison.
"The hardest part when you hear about the circumstances is, it's the worst case scenario," says CEO of the Marjorie Mason Center, Nicole Linder.
Linder hasn't helped the victim in this case, but her organization helps others who find themselves in a domestic dispute.
She says the center receives more than 800 calls a month, and she wants those in an abusive relationship to know there's help available.
"Reach out for help, know that there are people who support you and want to provide you a life that you deserve," Linder said.
If you are the victim of domestic abuse, or you know someone who is, there is help available 24/7. In Fresno County, call the Marjaree Mason Center at (559) 233-4357. In all other locations, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-7233.
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