Homicide: Victim Identification

Release Date/Time: 7/12/2017 3:32 PM
Incident: Homicide Victim Identification
Date: Wednesday, 7/12/2017
Time: 3:01 PM
Location: 300 block of Williams Rd.

Release Authorized by: Spencer Critchley, Acting PIO
Telephone: (831) 998-3000

Following the notification of his family, we can now identify the victim of the July 8 homicide as 23-year-old Christian Amezcua. He was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 300 block of Williams Rd. shortly before midnight Saturday.

Mr. Amezcua had had many contacts with the Salinas Police Department and the crime is being investigated as gang-related. Anyone with information about it is urged to contact Detective Gonzalez at (831) 758-7127 or Detective Schwener at (831) 758-7276.

The original press release about this incident is reproduced below.

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Release Date/Time: 7/9/2017 8:47 AM
Incident: Homicide
Date: Saturday, 7/8/2017
Time: Shortly before midnight
Location: 300 block of Williams Rd.
Release Authorized by: Spencer Critchley
Telephone: (831) 998-3000

A 23-year old man was shot to death just before midnight Saturday on the 300 block of Williams Rd. in Salinas.

Officers responded to a Shot Spotter alert of gunshots in the area, and found a young Hispanic male dead at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds. Initial investigation found that he had been riding his bicycle when he was approached and shot by one or more suspects, who then fled the scene.

The killing appears to be gang related. Police urge any member of the public with information about the crime to contact Sgt. Brian Johnson at (831) 758-7128, or the Watch Commander at (831) 758-7250.

The name of the victim is being withheld until his family has been notified.