Moss Landing beach shooting victims identified as Salinas teens aged 13 and 15; no suspect yet

A shooting next to Moss Landing State Beach in Monterey County, California, shortly before 2 a.m. on Monday, November 2, left two people dead and two others injured, the Monterey County Sheriff's Office said. Sheriff's spokesperson Cmdr. Andres Rosas told a press conference that deputies responding to Jetty Road found two people dead at the scene and a third person injured, who was taken to hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening; a fourth person later arrived at a hospital with a gunshot wound, and that person's condition was not known. (Photo: file image of Moss Landing State Beach, not the crime scene.)

Victims identified: two Salinas teens

On November 3, the Sheriff's Office identified the two people killed as Marco Antonio Perez, 15, and Nathaniel Flores, 13, both of Salinas and members of the local school community; the Salinas Union High School District confirmed the victims were part of its student community. The identities and conditions of the two injured people have not been publicly updated.

No motive, no suspect information yet

Rosas said the investigation continues, with no information on any motive and no suspect information released; officials have not yet classified the deaths as homicide or suicide. Local media reported investigators were also examining a second nearby party location for leads. California State Parks Police have closed Jetty Road and Moss Landing State Beach at the sheriff's office's request while evidence is collected. The sheriff's office said there is currently no active threat to the Moss Landing community, though Rosas also said a shooter could still be at large. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sheriff's Detective Sgt. Nick Kennedy or Detective Richard Geng. Moss Landing is a coastal community in Monterey County, and Jetty Road leads to the state beach, a popular spot for locals and visitors.

Sources: Monterey County Sheriff's Office (spokesperson Cmdr. Andres Rosas, 2026-11-02; victim identification, 2026-11-03), KION, Lookout Santa Cruz, California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA).