3 people arrested after teen critically injured in stabbing at Merced County Fairgrounds

MERCED, Calif. (KFSN) -- A teenager is recovering after being stabbed during a violent incident on the final night of the Merced County Fair, authorities said.

The stabbing happened Sunday night at the Merced County Fairgrounds, where thousands had gathered over five days for food and entertainment. Deputies with the Merced County Sheriff's Office were called to the carnival area for a reported physical altercation.

"When our deputies arrived, they located a 15-year-old suffering from several stab wounds," said Alexandra Garcia with the Public Information Officer for the Merced County Sheriff's Office.

The teenager was rushed to a hospital and remains in critical condition.

Investigators said at least three people were involved in the attack, including two teenagers and 26-year-old Nathaniel Yanez.

"Those have all been arrested and taken into custody," Garcia said.

Authorities have not yet determined what led to the fight, describing the circumstances as part of an ongoing investigation.

"It's heartbreaking and it's frustrating to see people come into such a family-oriented event and ruin it," Garcia said. "This is a serious incident and this wasn't just a little fight. Unfortunately, someone was stabbed."

John Allgaier, the CEO of the Merced County Fair, said in a statement:

The safety of our guests, exhibitors, vendors and staff is, and will always be, the Merced County Fair's highest priority. The Fair works closely with the Merced County Sheriff's Office to provide a safe, family-friendly environment for our community. Throughout the 2026 Fair, guests passed through metal detectors, were screened with handheld wands and had bags checked at all general entry gates, while Sheriff's deputies patrolled and maintained a visible presence throughout the fairgrounds to proactively monitor activity and respond to concerns.

The Fair saw strong attendance throughout its five-day run, including large crowds on the final evening. As the night progressed, the behavior of a small number of individuals required intervention by the Merced County Sheriff's Office. In coordination with law enforcement, the decision was made to close the carnival and begin clearing the fairgrounds.

While it is unfortunate that the actions of a few individuals impacted the final evening of the Fair, the safety measures in place and the swift response by the Merced County Sheriff's Office helped ensure the situation was addressed quickly and effectively. We appreciate the professionalism and partnership of the Sheriff's Office throughout the event and remain committed to providing a safe and enjoyable Fair experience for our community.

Any questions regarding arrests, criminal investigations or specific incidents should be directed to the Merced County Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff's Office said it is aware of social media video related to the incident and is asking anyone with additional information to contact authorities. Investigators believe the stabbing was an isolated incident.

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