Selina Godoy-Gonzales, an 18-year-old resident of King City, California, tragically lost her life on December 26, 2021. Selina, who was also pregnant at the time, was shot multiple times along with her boyfriend, Carlos Lopez, as they exited their vehicle in front of their home on Sussex Way in King City. The couple was ambushed by members of a local gang, resulting in their immediate deaths.
This incident shocked the community and led to an extensive investigation by local law enforcement.
The investigation quickly identified several suspects involved in the double homicide. Eliazar Arellano Ayron, a 22-year-old gang member, was one of the primary suspects. Ayron, along with three other gang members, orchestrated the ambush that led to the deaths of Selina and Carlos. The King City Police Department, aided by surveillance footage and other investigative techniques, managed to track down and arrest Ayron in September 2022, nearly nine months after the murders. He was found hiding in Coulterville, a small town in Mariposa County. Ayron later pled guilty to two counts of first-degree murder and is awaiting sentencing, facing a potential 70 years to life in prison.
In addition to Ayron, several other individuals were implicated in the crime. Raul Lucas, another gang member, was previously sentenced to 58 years to life for his role in the murders. The police also arrested two 17-year-old boys from King City in connection with the case. These arrests were part of a broader effort to dismantle the gang responsible for the violence. The investigation revealed that the murders were carried out for the benefit of the gang, highlighting the ongoing issue of gang-related violence in the area.
The case also saw the arrest of individuals accused of aiding and abetting the suspects. Jazmin Aviles, a 25-year-old resident of King City, was arrested for helping one of the suspects evade capture. This aspect of the investigation underscored the challenges law enforcement faced in bringing all involved parties to justice. The community's response to the tragedy was one of grief and a renewed call for action against gang violence, as the deaths of Selina Godoy-Gonzales and Carlos Lopez became a poignant reminder of the impact of such crimes on families and neighborhoods.
