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UPDATE: Names Have Been Released of People Killed in Double Homicide Shooting in King City on December 26; 2 People Have been Arrested, 3 People are Being Sought

On Sunday, December 26, 2021, at 1:22 pm, Monterey County Communications received 9-1-1 calls reporting gunshots fired in the area of Sussex Way and Wellington Avenue in King City. King City Police Department officers, with assistance from the California Highway Patrol, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, the Greenfield Police Department, and the Soledad Police Department, responded to the area and upon arrival located a 20-year-old male and an 18-year-old female dead at the scene from apparent gunshot wounds. The victims have been identified as: 20-year-old Carlos Manuel Lopez Sanchez of King City, CA and 18-year-old Selena Gonzalez Godoy of King City, CA The personnel of the King City Police Department offer their sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Lopez Sanchez and Ms. Godoy. The Investigations Unit of the King City Police Department with the assistance from the Greenfield Police Department Crime Scene Investigation Unit initiated an investigation into the deaths of the 2 victims. Investigative efforts include, but are not limited to, a canvas of the area by officers for witnesses, review of home surveillance videos, and a review of video footage from the King City City Wide Camera System. Preliminary information developed during the investigation led to the identification of a suspected vehicle, a 2006 GMC Yukon Grey in color, arriving in the area at the time of the incident from which the suspects exited the Yukon and confronted the victims. The suspects then returned to the Yukon and fled the area rapidly. The 2006 GMC Yukon believed to be the vehicle involved in this incident has been recovered by law enforcement. Through investigative efforts detectives identified 19-year-old male Elizar Ayron Arellano, a 19-year-old of King City, and 20-year-old male Raul Omar Lucas, a all points resident of Salinas, CA, as suspects believed to be involved in the murder of the victims. Warrants were then issued for the arrest of Elizar Ayron Arellano and Raul Omar Lucas signed by a Monterey County Superior Court Judge. In addition, detectives obtained search warrants for a residence located on the 900 block of Broadway Street in King City and the 900 block of Rider Street in Salinas. On Monday, December 27, 2021, detectives from the King City Police Department, with assistance from the Salinas Police Department Violence Suppression Task Force (VSTF) and SWAT team, executed search warrants in King City and Salinas. During the search of the residences a non-serialized assault weapon was located and seized. Subsequent to the location and seizure of the assault weapon, 28-year-old female Rocio Villa Vasquez Martinez of Salinas was arrested for possession of an assault weapon, possession of a short-barreled rifle, possession of a large capacity magazine, and child endangerment. Vasquez Martinez was booked into the Monterey County Jail. On Wednesday, December 29, 2021, members of the Salinas Police Department VSTF working in collaboration with the King City Police Department located Raul Omar Lucas in the City of Salinas and took him into custody. Raul Omar Lucas was then booked into the Monterey County Jail for two counts of murder. Subsequent to the arrest of Raul Omar Lucas detectives from the King City Police Department arrested Rocio Villa Vasquez Martinez, who was still in-custody at the Monterey County Jail, for aiding and abetting in the murder of the victims and then served an additional search warrant on the 700 block of Elton Drive in Salinas with the assistance of the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office. The King City Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Elizar Ayron Arellano (photograph below). If members of the public know the whereabouts of Arellano they are asked to not attempt to contact Arellano as he is considered armed and dangerous and instead contact the King City Police Department at 831-755-5111 and advise them they believe they have seen Arellano, the location and time where they saw Arellano, a description of Arellano’s clothing and any vehicle that may be related to him. This is an active and ongoing investigation and as the King City PD has determined 2 additional suspects were involved in the murder of the victims. They are asking members of the public who may have information pertaining to this investigation or may know of associates of Elizar Ayron Arellano or Raul Omar Lucas to contact Sergeant Joshue Partida of the King City Police Department at (831) 386-5988; or jpartida@kingcity.com; or the WeTip line at 1-800-78-CRIME. Your call may remain completely anonymous.

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