Salinas Police say the stray bullet that killed a 6-year-old Salinas boy may have been the result of a retaliation shooting between rival gangs.
Evidence and witness statements show that the suspects driving on East Laurel Drive shot at several Sureño gang members from two different ‘cliques’ Tuesday evening during a shooting that killed 6-year-old Azahel Cruz. As a result, investigators say they believe that a Norteño gang was responsible for Azahel’s homicide.
Five days before the homicide, police say a man shot on Montana Street and Mohar Way was identified as a Norteño. On Wednesday, police arrested Marcos Matias, 20, a known gang member, and they identified him as the gunman in that shooting.
