Man shot, dies after hours-long standoff with Fresno Police

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A man has died from his injuries after being shot by police following an hours-long standoff Saturday in northwest Fresno, the Fresno Police Department said.

In an update, the department announced that 35-year-old Joseph Merical was transported from the scene Saturday night to an area hospital, where he died.

Leading up to the shooting, investigators said a woman reported to police that around 2 p.m., her significant other had strangled her. She also told them she was able to escape their apartment afterward with her baby.

When police arrived at the complex at Blythe and Austin Avenues to try to arrest Merical for his alleged involvement in the domestic violence disturbance, they said he barricaded the apartment door. They also said he climbed on top of furniture and armed himself with two large kitchen knives.

At one point, officers were able to partially force open the front door, at which time they say Merical allegedly attempted to stab an officer. Additional resources were then called out, including the Crisis Negotiations Team and S.W.A.T.

Following failed attempts to negotiate with Merical over several hours, police said he made obscene gestures at them, displayed aggressive behavior, and told officers that he was not going back to prison.

Investigators said he eventually came out of the apartment armed with both knives and ran down the staircase toward officers who were standing in the parking lot.

Police said Merical proceeded to charge at them with the knives in both hands, and that’s when they say they “discharged less-than-lethal munitions,” hitting Merical, but it was ineffective. Officers then used “lethal force,” shooting Merical.

This investigation remains active, and anyone with additional information is asked to contact Fresno Police Department Homicide Detectives M. Yee (559) 621-2407 or Detective J. Baroni (559) 621-2516.