A 17-year-old was arrested Sunday night after deputies responding to reports of gunfire in Planada found the juvenile carrying a loaded handgun and marijuana, according to the Merced County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies were called around 9 p.m. Sunday to the area of Plainsburg and Topeka roads after residents reported hearing gunshots. While in the area, deputies heard additional gunfire coming from the area of Kraft Road, the sheriff’s office said.

Deputies responded to that location and found a suspicious person identified as a 17-year-old juvenile. A search of the juvenile found a loaded .40-caliber handgun in the person’s waistband and a small bag of processed marijuana.

The juvenile was arrested and booked into juvenile hall on suspicion of possession of a firearm by a juvenile and possession of a controlled substance while carrying a firearm.

Got a Tip?

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at (209) 385-7445.

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