14-YEAR-OLD ADMITS COMMITTING MURDER IN SALINAS LAUNDROMAT SHOOTING

Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced today that on August 10, 2026, a 14-year-old youth admitted committing first degree murder, in violation of Penal Code Section 187(a), with a special allegation of personally and intentionally discharging a firearm and proximately causing great bodily injury, in violation of Penal Code Section 12022.53(d).

On April 27, 2026, at approximately 6:51 a.m., the Salinas Police Department was notified by ShotSpotter of 17 rounds fired at 123 Laundry at 912 North Sanborn Road in Salinas. Officers arrived at the scene and discovered a 22-year-old male victim with multiple gunshot wounds to his head and torso lying face down near a chain link fence. Medical personnel who arrived at the scene attempted life-saving measures, but the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Salinas Police Department officers reviewed hundreds of hours of surveillance to identify the shooters as two juveniles. Detectives utilized Flock Safety Camera Technology to identify and track vehicles associated with the crime. These investigative efforts ultimately assisted law enforcement in identifying and apprehending both juveniles involved in the shooting.

Under California law, the 14 year old involved in this case cannot be transferred to adult criminal court because of his age at the time of the offense, regardless of the severity of the crime. As a result, his case will remain in juvenile court. For the admitted murder offense, state law limits a commitment to a maximum of seven years in a Secure Track Youth Treatment Facility. The court will determine the length of the commitment at a dispositional hearing scheduled for August 24, 2026.

The other suspect in the shooting, who was 17 years old at the time of the offense, is currently undergoing transfer proceedings. The District Attorney's Office is seeking to have his case transferred to adult criminal court. The matter remains pending, and the court will ultimately determine whether the case proceeds in juvenile or adult court.

This case was investigated by Salinas Police Department Detectives Luis Toribio, Austin Scaggs, and Christopher Neff, as well as Officers Paulo Diaz, Cameron Mitchell, Adrian Ramirez, Edwin Cruz, and Kimberly Ruelas. The victim's next of kin were assisted by District Attorney Victim Advocate Ana Galvez.