A 16-year-old boy was gunned down after he left a residence on Garner Avenue Monday night to meet some friends.
Several rounds were fired at the boy, and he was struck by gunfire at least once, Salinas police say. Jose Luis Valdez received medical assistance by a resident and a police officer before paramedics arrived and took him to Natividad Medical Center, where he later died.
Valdez's murder is being investigated by police as gang-related. It is the ninth homicide this year.
The same shooting that killed Valdez also led to the injury of a 12-year-old boy who was inside his apartment when a stray bullet traveled through the outer wall of his residence and hit his hand.
The boy was treated at his apartment and did not need further medical attention.
Another bullet traveled through at least one other apartment, causing minor damage inside and no injuries. A bullet also hit a water main near the apartment complex and led to the flooding of one apartment, police said.
At this moment, there is no suspect description available. It is unclear if the suspect ran away or drove away from the scene.
Police urge anyone with information about the homicide to call at 758-7442.