FRESNO, CALIFORNIA, USA – AUGUST 23, 2025 Officers from the Fresno Police Department were dispatched to a domestic violence incident after a woman called 911, reporting that her husband had tried to kill her. She identified him as 41-year-old Joseph Merical. According to her statement, he had choked her, but she managed to escape with their child. Police were warned that the suspect might be armed with a knife.
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- Joseph Merical 1
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- Joseph Merical 2
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- Joseph Merical 3
When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered that the suspect had barricaded himself inside the apartment. All attempts to communicate with him failed – he did not respond. SWAT officers and negotiators were called to assist.
After several hours, the apartment door opened and the man emerged holding a knife. Because the officers maintained a safe distance, they first attempted to use non-lethal rounds, but these failed to stop him as he continued advancing toward them. They were then forced to use live ammunition. As soon as he fell to the ground, officers provided medical aid, but he later died at the hospital.
Gisela Gonzalez Merical
The attacker’s wife, Gisela Gonzalez Merical, stated that her husband had been struggling with mental health issues prior to the attack and had sought professional help several times in the past.
