A 21-year-old Sacramento man is wanted for murder after a security guard was fatally shot during a private event at the Los Banos Fairgrounds, authorities said.
The shooting happened late Saturday, Aug. 29, at about 11:12 p.m. Deputies responding to the fairgrounds found 31-year-old Kody Pena suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Pena had been working security at the event. Investigators said he had been involved in an altercation shortly before the shooting, though authorities have not publicly released further details about what led to the gunfire.
Investigators have identified Gabriel Angel Salas of Sacramento as the suspect in the killing. Authorities said Salas is believed to be in the West Sacramento area and should be considered armed and dangerous.
Officials are warning the public not to approach Salas if he is spotted. Anyone who sees him should call 911 instead.
Authorities described Salas as about 5 feet 10 inches tall with a medium build, hazel eyes and long black hair.
The investigation remains active as detectives work to locate Salas and determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Anyone with information about the case or Salas’ whereabouts can contact the Merced County Sheriff’s Office Detectives Bureau at 209-385-7472. Anonymous tips can be submitted at 209-385-7547 or through [email protected].
