3 people arrested in King City mass shooting, Monterey County double murder case

Authorities in Monterey County have arrested three people on multiple murder charges in connection with a tragic mass shooting at a birthday party in King City and another shooting that killed two cousins ​​earlier this year.

On Friday, Sheriff Tina Nieto announced the arrests of 18-year-old Jonathan Leal Cervantes, 32-year-old Pedro Manuel Nava and a juvenile whose identity is not being released due to their age. All three suspects are residents of Greenfield, about 30 miles south of Salinas.

“These murderers now face the full force of our justice system,” Nieto said at a news conference about the arrests.

Cervantes, Nava and the teenager were linked to him a deadly mass shooting that occurred during a birthday party in King City on March 3rd. Police said at the time that the suspects, who were in a stolen Kia, pulled up to a home in the 200 block of North 2nd Street and opened fire.

The shooting killed Alicia Ramirez Aparicio, who was celebrating her birthday, as well as Mario Guzman Mendoza, Francisco Aldape Perez and Olivo Perez Pina.

The suspects are also related to an earlier shooting on Feb. 4 in southern Monterey County. According to Nieto, the victims drove down Thorne Road and notified police that they were being followed by the suspects.

When police arrived, Andres Garcia and Jack Canchola were found shot multiple times. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

The suspects are also linked to an armed robbery in Salinas.

All three were charged with four counts of murder, four counts of criminal conspiracy to commit murder and seven counts of attempted murder, as well as weapons and gang enhancement charges in connection with the King City shooting. The suspects were also charged with two counts of murder in connection with the shooting in southern Monterey County and other charges in connection with the robbery in Salinas.

“We hope this announcement can help restore a sense of safety to the communities of King City and South Monterey County. We continue to direct our thoughts and prayers to the victims injured during the mass shooting in King City. “We pray for your full recovery and that peace can be restored to you and your families,” Nieto said in a prepared statement.

According to the sheriff’s office, the juvenile was scheduled to be arraigned in Monterey County Juvenile Court Friday morning. Meanwhile, Nava and Cervantes are expected to be arraigned Friday afternoon.