May 13, 2024 - Monterey County Sheriff's Office officials report that on Friday, May 10th, 2024, at 9:00 A.M., the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, King City Police Department and Salinas Police Department held a joint press conference to announce arrests that have been made related to the King City mass shooting that occurred on March 3rd, 2024 that left four people dead and the South Monterey County double homicide that occurred on February 4th, 2024 that resulted in the deaths of two cousins. Also announced were charges related to a Salinas Armed Robbery.
View press conference video here.
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 4th, 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 3rd, 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 Jonathan Leal Cervantes, age 18 of Greenfield and Pedro Manuel Nava age 32 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 two 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.
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.
Source & photo: Monterey County Sheriff's Office
