Merced, CA (December 16, 2025) — The Merced County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest in connection with a double homicide that occurred in July 2022 near the Atwater city limits.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, detectives arrested Justin Vanrassan, 30, of Las Vegas, on Monday with assistance from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. The arrest follows a three-year investigation into the fatal shooting that took place near Franklin Road and Santa Fe Drive.
Deputies originally responded to the scene shortly after 11 p.m. in July 2022 after receiving multiple reports of a shooting on Santa Fe Drive near Franklin Road, just outside Atwater. Investigators determined that multiple shots were fired from suspects inside one vehicle toward four occupants in another vehicle.
The shooting resulted in the deaths of 23-year-old Ruben Coronado and 24-year-old Eli Correa. An adult female who was also inside the targeted vehicle suffered critical injuries and was transported to a hospital for treatment.
The suspects fled the area following the shooting. The case was investigated as a double homicide, with detectives working for several years to identify those responsible.
The Sheriff’s Office said the arrest of Vanrassan marks a significant development in the case. No additional details regarding charges, court proceedings, or potential additional suspects have been released. The investigation remains active.
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