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A Nativity Carnival worker has been charged with attempted murder after the convicted felon allegedly threatened to shoot another individual at the Menlo Park 7-11 after working at the carnival, police say.
Jaydon James Anderson, a 22-year-old Merced resident convicted of felony assault in 2022, allegedly pulled a 9 mm handgun on an intoxicated 19-year-old at 2:30 a.m. on June 8, 2024. He allegedly aimed the gun at the man, whom he did not know, and pulled the trigger but the firearm was jammed.
Nativity School Director of Communications Tiffannie Thom said Anderson worked for a company contracted to run the festival, which she did not name. She declined to answer further questions.
As a felon, Anderson is prohibited from possessing a firearm. Police do not know if Anderson had the firearm while working at the carnival.
At a preliminary hearing on April 28, 2025, two police officers and the victim testified. The defense did not present any evidence at the hearing, according to the district attorney’s office. Judge Sean Dabel ruled that the prosecution had enough evidence on all charges to move forward with the case.
Anderson has been in custody with a $750,000 bail since June 11, 2024.
Anderson is charged with attempted murder with three enhancements, assault with a semiautomatic weapon and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon, all felonies.
The enhancements are for discharging a firearm during a felony, having a prior violent felony and committing a serious felony.
Anderson pleaded not guilty to all charges. He is facing a maximum of multiple consecutive life in prison sentences.
The nativity carnival is a yearly event in June benefiting the Church of Nativity and Nativity School in Menlo Park.
This year’s carnival is scheduled for June 6 to 8.
This article was updated on May 1 to add comments from Nativity School.
