Los Banos police responded just after midnight to a home on Edwards Street after receiving a report of a shooting. When officers arrived, they found a woman upstairs suffering from a single gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police identified the woman's husband, Joseph Swanson, as the only other person at the home at the time of the shooting.
"He surrendered willingly. He was on scene, exited the residence with his hands in the air," said Justin Melden with the Los Banos Police Department.
According to police, Swanson called 911 to report that his wife had been shot, initially leading officers to believe the woman may have died by suicide.
However, investigators later determined the wound was not self-inflicted.
"Through the investigation, our detectives were able to determine that the gunshot wound was not self-inflicted. It was more of a result of a domestic violence type of situation," Melden said.
Police said they are actively investigating Swanson's background but that he was not previously known to the department.
"They were semi-new to the city of Los Banos. They had resided in the Bay Area before moving here," Melden said.
Investigators recovered a rifle they believe was used in the killing and are continuing to determine whether it was purchased legally. Police said additional charges could be possible depending on the outcome of that investigation.
"Officers did recover other items at the residence that were kept for safekeeping," Melden said.
Swanson was booked on a homicide charge and taken to the Merced County Correctional Center.
The crime scene has since been cleared. Candles left outside the home by loved ones remained as family and friends mourned the woman's death.
The Merced County Sheriff's Office has not released the victim's identity as officials continued notifying family members.
If you are the victim of domestic abuse, or you know someone who is, there is help available 24/7. In Fresno County, call the Marjaree Mason Center at (559) 233-4357. In all other locations, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-7233.
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