Moss Landing shooting leaves 2 dead, 2 injured

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that left two people dead and two others injured early Monday at Moss Landing State Beach.

The rare situation forced officials to temporarily close the beach as investigators worked to determine what happened.

Two people killed, two wounded

At an afternoon press conference, Cmdr. Andy Rosas said deputies were called around 2 a.m. to reports of gunshots near Jetty Road in Moss Landing, a small coastal community along Highway 1, about halfway between Monterey and Santa Cruz. Jetty Road branches off Highway 1 just north of the Elkhorn Slough bridge.

When deputies arrived, they found two people dead at the scene, Rosas said.

A third gunshot victim arrived at a local hospital. Officials did not say how that person was transported, and their condition was not immediately known.

A fourth victim was transported from the scene to a local hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

The identities of the people killed have not been released.

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Motive unknown

At a news conference, Rosas said detectives had no suspect information or motive to share.

Aerial footage showed dozens of investigators scouring the beach and placing evidence markers throughout the area. Investigators also cordoned off a portable toilet and examined colorful debris, including red plastic party cups, scattered across the beach.

In a statement, the sheriff’s office said there was "no active threat to the Moss Landing community at this time."

Still, Rosas said that investigators were working to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

"This is a tragic incident that has resulted in the loss of two lives," said Monterey County Sheriff Tina M. Nieto. "Our detectives are working to establish the circumstances surrounding what occurred. We ask anyone who may have information, regardless of how insignificant it may seem, to come forward and assist with this investigation."

The Source: Information for this story comes from the Monterey County Sheriff, North County Fire Protection District, visual evidence from SkyFox.  

CaliforniaCrime and Public Safety