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3 Men Arrested for Mass Shooting in King City, Double Homicide in South Monterey County and Armed Robbery Incident in Salinas

 

On Friday May 10, 2024, at 9:00 AM, The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, King City Police Department and

Salinas Police Department held a joint press conference to announce that arrests have been made related to the King

City mass shooting that occurred on March 3, 2024 that left 4 people dead and the South Monterey County

double homicide that occurred on February 4, 2024 that resulted in the deaths of 2 cousins. Also announced

were charges related to a Salinas Armed Robbery.

Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto stood present with representatives from the nearly 30 local, regional, state and

federal law enforcement agencies that assisted in the ongoing investigation into these tragic incidents. She presented

details of the South Monterey County double homicide that occurred on February 4, 2024, that left cousins Andres

Garcia and Jack Canchola dead of apparent gunshot wounds. She then presented details of the King City Mass

shooting that occurred on March 3, 2024, in which 11 persons were shot, 4 fatally. Killed in this incident were

Alicia Ramirez Aparicio, who was celebrating her birthday, Mario Guzman Mendoza, Francisco Aldape Perez, and

Olivo Perez Pina.

Sheriff Tina Nieto announced the arrests of 18-year-old Jonathan Leal Cervantes of Greenfield and 32-year-old Pedro Manuel Nava

of Greenfield. Also arrested was a juvenile of Greenfield. The name and age of the juvenile could not be

released due to their age. She added that each of these individuals is being charged with 4 counts of murder, 4 counts

of criminal conspiracy to commit murder, 7 counts of attempted murder, and weapons and gang enhancement charges

related to the King City Mass Shooting. Additionally, each face 2 counts of murder related to the South Monterey

County Double Homicide and additional charges related to an armed robbery that occurred in the City of Salinas.

Sheriff Tina Nieto added, “I cannot tell you how honored I am of the men and women who have come together and

worked countless hours to allow us to make this announcement to you today. It is our hope that this announcement

can help restore a sense of security to the communities of King City and South Monterey County. We continue to

extend our thoughts and prayers to the victims who were injured during the King City Mass Shooting. We pray for

your full recovery and that peace can be restored to you and your families.”

King City Police Chief James Hunt stated, “As a result of unprecedented teamwork and collaboration amongst

multiple law enforcement agencies, we are able to announce the arrest of these three individuals for these evil and

senseless acts.”

Additional statements were made by Acting Salinas Police Chief John Murray, Monterey County District 3

Supervisor Chris Lopez and King City Mayor Mike LeBarre, each of whom thanked all involved for coming together

to identify the suspects announced today.

The juvenile suspect was scheduled to be arraigned in Monterey County Juvenile Court at 9:30 AM on Friday May

10th, 2024. Nava and Cervantes were scheduled to be arraigned at 1:30 PM in Salinas Superior Court on Friday May

10th.

The complete press conference can be viewed on the Monterey County Sheriff’s Department Facebook page by

visiting https://www.facebook.com/MontereyCountySheriffsOffice.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Announced that this investigation has been handed over to the Monterey

County District Attorney’s Office. Due to the complexity of the investigation and to protect the integrity of the

investigation, no further details about the investigation will be provided in order to allow the justice system to take

its course.

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