Authorities arrested 37-year-old Joseph Swanson at the scene. Action News has learned the rifle used in the shooting was not registered and that Swanson was prohibited from carrying firearms because of a prior concealed-carry arrest in San Jose.
Police said Swanson is a veteran who was unemployed at the time of the crime and had no prior domestic violence record. He remains in custody awaiting formal charges.
The case is currently under review by the Merced County District Attorney's Office.
"We received the report from the Los Banos Police Department. The report is currently under review, and a decision will be made by tomorrow," said Moises Onsurez of the Merced County District Attorney's Office.
The homicide is the latest in a series of domestic violence-related incidents reported across the Valley. According to the Marjaree Mason Center, service requests typically increase during the summer months.
"Our service numbers are up in every category," said Ashlee Wolf of the Marjaree Mason Center.
Wolf said seasonal factors can contribute to increased stress within households.
"People are confined to their homes with the high heat outside. Kids are home from school. They're more mouths to feed. They're a lot more stressors," Wolf said.
This month, authorities arrested a man after police said he kidnapped his girlfriend in Kerman and led officers on a pursuit to Fresno, where he crashed. Police said the woman was ejected from the vehicle and hospitalized.
Days earlier, Fresno police arrested Jacob Ballinger on allegations of strangling a family member while a baby was in the room.
Another recent case involved Jeffrey Michaels, who turned himself in and was charged with the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Tatyana McIntyre, a mother of seven.
Family members of victims say the effects of domestic violence extend far beyond those directly involved.
"She was so full of life and was always wanting to do something she was always on the next adventure," said Alizabeth Lopez, McIntyre's sister.
Wolf said domestic violence incidents often leave lasting impacts throughout a community.
"It impacts parents of the two individuals; it impacts friends, children, neighbors, employers, and really it's something that changes a community," she said.
Fresno County has the highest per-capita number of calls to law enforcement for domestic violence in California.
Advocates at the Marjaree Mason Center say warning signs can include isolation, manipulation and controlling behavior before situations escalate into physical violence.
"Until we begin to normalize these conversations about how healthy behaviors, look and feel like and what they don't, especially with our youth, we will never begin to change what this looks like in our community," Wolf said.
The Marjaree Mason Center said calls to the organization's 24/7-hour hotline are confidential and can help survivors process their experiences and develop safety plans before situations escalate into physical violence.
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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