Mario Fertini Obituary, Death; – Investigators are actively searching for a shooter responsible for the fatal shooting of a teenager early Monday morning in Merced. The incident occurred at approximately 6 a.m. near the intersection of Bear Creek and Brookside drives.
According to the Merced police, a 15-year-old boy was discovered with several gunshot wounds. The victim has been identified by his family as Mario Fertini. “He always had a smile on his face. He enjoyed playing and had a deep affection for all his cousins. He cherished his mother and brother,” remarked Tani Holman, Fertini’s aunt.
Fertini and his mother relocated to Merced around nine months ago. “It is truly tragic that, being a juvenile, he was deprived of the opportunity to fully experience life. It is profoundly heartbreaking to witness young individuals fall victim to such violent acts,” stated Merced Police Lieutenant Kalvin Haygood.
Lt. Haygood noted that Fertini’s death marks the sixth homicide in Merced this year. Residents in the vicinity reported hearing gunfire around 2 a.m. Detectives suspect that Fertini was left unattended with multiple gunshot wounds for approximately three hours.
As investigators seek to uncover the circumstances that led to the shooting, the family wishes to honor his memory as a good-natured boy who had a passion for basketball and a deep love for his family. “He was a sweet and caring child, very affectionate, and he had a family that loved him dearly,” Holman added.
