Authorities identified the victims as boys ages 13 and 15 as detectives continued investigating what led to the early-morning gunfire.
MOSS LANDING, CA — Two Salinas teenagers were killed and two other people were injured in an early-morning shooting near Moss Landing State Beach, authorities said, prompting a large investigation and the temporary closure of the beach and Jetty Road.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office identified the boys Tuesday as Nathaniel Flores, 13, and Marco Antonio Perez, 15, both of Salinas. Deputies responding to reports of gunfire shortly before 2 a.m. Monday found two people dead at the scene along Jetty Road. Authorities said both had suffered gunshot wounds. Investigators have not announced a motive or identified a suspect, and officials have said there is no continuing threat to the Moss Landing community.
Two other people were injured in the incident. Sheriff’s officials said one person arrived at a local hospital with a gunshot wound, though that person’s condition had not been publicly released. Another person was taken from the scene to a hospital with injuries described as not life-threatening. Authorities have not publicly identified either injured person.
The shooting brought sheriff’s deputies, California State Parks peace officers and California Highway Patrol officers to the coastal area near the end of Jetty Road. Investigators spent much of Monday processing the scene and collecting evidence. Sheriff’s officials said they were examining the circumstances surrounding the deaths and had not immediately determined how the shooting began or whether everyone involved knew one another.
Investigators were also aware that people had gathered at the beach before the gunfire. Officials said Monday that they had not established whether the gathering was connected to the shooting. State Parks officials said the beach normally closes at sunset, although its entrance gate is often left open because people arrive early for activities such as fishing and surfing and staff members are not always present to operate the gate at those hours.
The deaths also affected schools in Salinas. Salinas Union High School District Superintendent Zandra Jo Galván said members of the district’s student community were among those killed and extended condolences to their families, friends and classmates. The district said emotional support and counseling would be available for students and staff affected by the deaths.
Authorities initially released limited information Monday morning, saying only that there were multiple fatalities and casualties after an incident along Jetty Road. During a later briefing, sheriff’s officials confirmed that two people had died and two others were injured. Investigators cautioned against drawing conclusions about the circumstances while detectives continued reviewing evidence and working to establish a sequence of events.
California State Parks closed Moss Landing State Beach and Jetty Road at the Sheriff’s Office’s request while investigators worked at the scene. The state beach reopened at about 3:30 p.m. Monday after authorities completed the portion of their investigation requiring the closure. State Parks said its peace officers were assisting the Sheriff’s Office, which is leading the investigation.
As of Tuesday, authorities had not announced an arrest or publicly identified a suspected shooter. The motive remained unknown, and investigators had not released a detailed account of what happened before the gunfire. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office continued investigating the deaths and injuries.
Author note: Last updated November 3, 2026.