One man arrested for Sand City homicide; second man at large.

One 19-year-old man was arrested and a second man is being sought in connection to the shooting death of a man on Highway 1 in Sand City on March 15.

In the early hours on that Sunday, 19-year-old Seaside resident Khaleel Johnson and a man in his early 20s were in a light-colored Nissan sedan driving north on the highway near the Fremont Street exit. Ivas Ruvalcaba and Edward Rodriguez, both 19, were in a nearby car, and allegedly starting shooting at the sedan, hitting both men.

Johnson, who was the passenger, died from his injuries. The driver, whose name has not been released, was taken to Natividad Medical Center in Salinas.

According to a press release from Sand City Police Department, Ruvalcaba was arrested on Wednesday. Police have a warrant for Rodriguez, but his whereabouts are unknown.

“Both suspects and both victims are believed to be involved with gangs,” says Peninsula Regional Violence and Narcotics Task Force Cmdr. Bruno Dias. “We have had numerous prior contact with both suspects.”

Ruvalcaba was booked into Monterey County Jail and charged with murder, attempted murder and firearm and gang enhancements.

On January 8, Johnson was one of six people arrested in connection to a shooting on the afternoon of January 2 when a few alleged Crips gang members were inside a white Nissan sedan driving on the 1400 block of Wanda Avenue. The men allegedly started shooting at two alleged Norteño gang members walking on the street. The two men walking returned gunfire. No one was hit.

Johnson was changed with charged with attempted murder with a firearm and gang enhancements, but police say the charges were later dropped due to lack of evidence.