New evidence released in Merced County murder

MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- The family of a Merced County murder victim is searching for answers and hoping newly released surveillance video will help. Relatives are offering a reward in the case of a young man who was shot to death in Delhi.

Erain Sandoval was an athlete at Livingston High School and had recently enrolled in college when he was murdered earlier this year. Authorities say he was not a gang member, but may have been mistaken for one.

Blanca Trenado says it's hard to fit all nine of her siblings into one family photo, but now her youngest brother will always be missing.

"Everybody knew him as very fun loving, happy overall, good kid, very athletic," said Blanca.

Sandoval was a high school football player and wrestler. His older brothers and sisters have all gone to college, and he planned to follow in their footsteps by pursuing a degree in criminal justice.

Sandoval's brother Juan Trenado said, "I think that's the hardest thing knowing that he was proud of me, he looked up to me, and I actually helped sign him up for junior college."

But Sandoval's bright future came to a dark end on April 26th -- when he was shot to death near the Five Star Market in Delhi. Blanca believes gang members gunned him down for wearing a partially red baseball cap he received as a 20th birthday gift one week earlier.

Blanca explained, "It's absolutely horrifying, it's terrible, it's really really scary for such a small community that feels honestly safe."

Surveillance video shows the suspects' dark colored, four door sedan pulling into the market and leaving moments later. Deputies say Sandoval had stopped at the store with two friends to get gas -- and exchanged words with the people in the car. They later followed his vehicle and opened fire down the street.

Deputy Delray Shelton with the Merced County Sheriff's Office said, "We're asking the public to come forward with any and all information they have regarding the incident and also if someone out there could help us identify the vehicle and who it belongs to."

Blanca is now working to get her law degree at UCLA and says her main mission is holding her brother's killers accountable.

"I'm not really angry at them, and I forgive them, but I do want justice for my brother, and I definitely will not stop," said Blanca. "I know for sure I will not stop until that happens."

The family is offering a $5,000.00 reward for tips that lead to an arrest and conviction.

Anyone with information is being asked to contact the Merced County Sheriff's Office at 209-385-7445.