Three Detained in Moss Landing Beach Shooting Investigation

Monterey County sheriff’s investigators detained three people on November 5 while executing a warrant to search a residence in Greenfield, roughly 50 miles from Moss Landing State Beach to the southeast. Authorities have not identified the people, and none has been arrested. Investigators described them as persons of interest and were questioning them as they work to establish what happened, a sheriff’s office spokesperson said.

The shooting took place shortly before 2 a.m. on November 2 near Jetty Road. Deputies responding to reports of gunfire found Marco Antonio Perez, 15, and Nathaniel Flores, 13, both from Salinas, lifeless at the location. Two more people suffered injuries and were taken to hospital. One had injuries described as non-life-threatening; officials have not provided the other person’s condition.

Investigators have not publicly disclosed a motive. The sheriff’s office has said the Moss Landing community faces no ongoing danger and that detectives were continuing to investigate. Scene images showed cups and other items scattered on the beach, with evidence markers along a nearby road.

The boys’ families have started fundraisers as they mourn their deaths. Flores was a player with the Steinbeck Tigers youth football squad, which said he was approaching his 14th birthday. Sheriff Tina M. Nieto asked anyone with information about the circumstances to come forward. The investigation remains active.