Two California Boys, Just 13 and 15, Killed in Late-Night Beach Shooting as Families Seek Answers

A late-night gathering at a California beach ended in tragedy after two teenage boys were shot dead, leaving their families and school community devastated. The victims were just 13 and 15 years old.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office identified the boys as Nathaniel Flores, 13, and Marco Antonio Perez, 15. Both were from Salinas, California, and were members of the local student community.

Deputies were dispatched to Jetty Road near Moss Landing State Beach shortly before 2 a.m. on Monday, November 2, following reports of gunfire. When officers arrived, they discovered the two teenagers with fatal gunshot wounds.

Two additional people were also injured. One was transported to a hospital from the scene with injuries described as non-life-threatening, while another arrived at a hospital separately after being shot. Authorities have not publicly released their identities or provided a detailed update on their conditions.

Investigators are still working to establish what happened in the moments before the shooting. Officials have acknowledged reports of a possible gathering at the beach but have not confirmed whether it was connected to the violence.

The loss has deeply affected the Salinas school community. Zandra Jo Galvan, superintendent of the Salinas Union High School District, said students from the district were among those killed and expressed condolences to their families, friends and classmates.

Nathaniel, known to friends as Nate, was also a member of the Steinbeck Tigers Youth Football & Cheer organization. The group remembered him as a son, teammate and friend, and launched a fundraising campaign to help his family with funeral and memorial expenses.

The tragedy was particularly heartbreaking for Nathaniel’s loved ones because he was only days away from his 14th birthday, which was expected to fall on November 6.

The youth football organization described him as an important part of its community, saying its players were much more than names on a roster and that his loss was deeply felt by everyone who knew him.

Meanwhile, authorities have not announced any arrests or identified a suspect. They have also not established a motive or said whether the two boys knew one another.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that could help investigators to come forward.

As the investigation continues, families, classmates and teammates are left grieving two young lives cut short in a shooting that has shaken their community.

Source: DAILYMAIL