Release Date/Time:\ 5/24/2023 12:45 PM
Incident: Homicide Arrest
Date:\ Tuesday, 5/23/2023
Time:\ 7:00 PM
Location: 700 block of Cipriani St, Gonzales
On Saturday, 5/20/23 at approximately 10:15 am Salinas Police Officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert in the 800 block of Garner Ave. On arrival located Christian Jimenez (21), who had been shot multiple times. He was transported to a local trauma center however he died as a result of his injuries. A second victim, a 20-year-old male also suffered multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to local hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The investigation revealed that two males dressed in dark clothing approached the victims on foot in the driveway of the apartment complex and opened fire. The suspects were last seen running north through the complex towards Garner Ave. Both victims appear to have been targeted, however it appears as though neither victim was gang related.
A third victim, a 40-year-old mother who was inside a nearby apartment making breakfast for her children, was shot by a stray round that entered her apartment. She is still in a local hospital in serious condition.
On Tuesday, 5/23/23 at 7:00 pm Salinas SWAT, Detectives and the Violence Suppression Task Force served a search warrant in the 700 block of Cipriani St in Gonzales. During the warrant service Abel Juan Perez (23) was taken into custody. Perez was later transported to the Monterey County Jail and booked on one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder along with a variety of gun and gang charges.
This is still a very active investigation with Salinas Police Detectives and VSTF continuing to follow-up on additional investigative leads, as there is an additional suspect still outstanding. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call Detective Robert Miller at 831-758-7954. If you wish to remain anonymous you may also call the Salinas Police Department anonymous tip line at 831-775-4222.
Release Authorized by: Cmdr. Brian Johnson
Telephone:
