Full Notification

On October 25, 2014 at approximately 8:38 p.m., the Los Banos Police Department responded to the 400 block of West K Street for a report of shots fired. The responding officers met with a witness who said rival gang members fired several shots at a juvenile member of an opposing gang.

According to witnesses, the victim was involved in a verbal dispute with members of a rival gang prior to the shooting. The suspect gang members left following the argument and one returned a short time later and began shooting. The suspect fled the area on foot, last seen running north through a field towards West J Street.

The investigation led police to a residence in the 400 block of J Street, where several members of the suspect gang were congregating. Detective Sean Bayard spoke with 42-year-old John Anthony Gocke at the residence. Gocke is known to associate with members of the same gang suspected in the shooting.

Police found 24-year-old parolee, Anthony Wilfred Tinoco hiding in the residence with juvenile members of the same gang. Police also located 21-year-old Vanacio Julian Lujan and a 16-year-old juvenile hiding in the residence. Lujan was wanted for an outstanding arrest warrant for possession of a firearm. The 16-year-old found hiding in the residence was identified as the shooter in the K Street shooting.
Police Officers struggled with Gocke as he resisted arrest and a 17-year-old female ran towards officers in attempt to aid Gocke. The juvenile female shoved an officer, pushing the officer back with both hands. As officers struggled with Gocke and the juvenile female, a crowd gathered. Members of the crowd shouted and moved towards the officers.

The officers called for assistance from the Merced County Sheriff’s Department and California Highway Patrol to control the crowd and multiple suspects. During the incident two police vehicles were vandalized by members of the crowd causing minor paint damage.

Detective Sean Bayard and a team of officers served a search warrant at Gocke’s residence where the firearm believed to be used in the shooting and other evidence was found.

“Gang crime is not tolerated in our community and we will continue to aggressively arrest and prosecute gang members for their crimes.”
- Jason Hedden, Police Commander

John Anthony Gocke was arrested and charged with resisting or delaying an officer, battery on an officer, contributing to the delinquency of minors, participating in a criminal street gang, accessory to a crime and criminal street terrorism enhancement. Gocke remains in custody at the Merced Main Jail in lieu of $160,500.00 bail.

Anthony Wilfred Tinoco remains in custody on a no bail parole hold at the Merced County Main Jail.

Vanacio Julian Lujan remains in custody at the Merced Main Jail without bail on a probation violation and warrant.

The 16-year-old juvenile shooter was charged with resisting or delaying and officer, assault with a firearm, negligently discharging a firearm, gang member in possession of a loaded firearm in public, unlawful carrying of a firearm during the commission of a street gang crime, and participation in a criminal street gang. He remains in custody at the Iris Garrett Juvenile Justice Correctional Complex without bail.

To leave an anonymous crime tip call 209-827-7070 Ext. 288. If you have access to a computer and the internet you can also leave an anonymous tip at the Police Department’s web page at www.losbanos.org. At the bottom of the “Contact” page simply click on the “report graffiti and other crime” link or visit the Merced Area Crime Stoppers by telephone at 1-855-725-2420, or at www.mercedareacrimestoppers.org