Deadly shooting at family gathering in Merced raises alarm on family violence during the holidays
An argument that turned deadly at a family gathering in Merced is raising concerns about family violence during the holiday season.
Merced Police continue to investigate after a suspect, Fernando Gutierrez, shot his family member, Christian Sanchez Aguilar, in the head, killing him. But after telling Action News the death resulted from an argument at a party where drinking was involved, they are pleading with the public to report situations like this before it's too late.
"If there's tensions that are flying a little high, just feel free to reach out to us and we can be the mediators and get people separated so we can avoid these types of altercations from happening," said Merced Police Department Lieutenant Jose Borajas.
As the shooting happened over the holiday weekend between Christmas and New Year's, the incident pointed to a trend seen in communities across the world: a spike in family violence during this time of year.
Family violence comes in different forms, and this time of year, it isn't uncommon to see spikes across the board.
And it's something experts said should not be ignored.
"If somebody that claims to love you is making you fearful of your safety, or even your life... there's a very good chance they could act on that one day," said Ashlee Wolf, the Director of Philanthropy and Communication at the Marjaree Mason Center.
The Marjaree Mason Center is a facility in Fresno working to serve victims of domestic violence. Specifically, domestic violence is defined by the Department of Justice as "a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner."
Meanwhile, Wolf notes that not every situation is the same, which is why she emphasized the importance of being aware of warning signs, especially if you or someone you know is in danger.
"Really, it comes down to whether the person who claims to love you is threatening to do things to you, and in an unsafe or unhealthy way to maintain that power and control," said Wolf.
And as the holidays often pose a heightened risk for victims of violence, Wolf has words of advice for those holding off on getting help.
"Just talk to somebody. Safety plan. Talk about what their options are to make sure that they don't get put in a position where they're potentially in danger," she said.
If you feel your partner poses a danger to you, the Marjaree Mason Center provides support resources. For those who are unsure or even fearful to reach out, she said you can start by calling their anonymous 24/7 help center at 559-233-HELP (4357).
Anyone experiencing or concerned about other forms of family violence is urged to call their local police department.
