Ernesto Herrera

Ernesto Herrera was a 29-year-old man living in Oakland, California, where some knew him by the nickname "2 Nesto." At the time of his death, he was experiencing homelessness and resided in a car that had been stripped of its wheels and engine and left in an alley.

In the early morning hours of June 24, 2020, Abraham Salgado-Alfaro, who had turned 18 just three weeks prior, was walking with his girlfriend on the 9000 block of E Street. Shortly before 2 a.m., they encountered Herrera, who allegedly made disparaging remarks toward Salgado-Alfaro’s girlfriend. Salgado-Alfaro confronted Herrera, and the two men began shoving each other. The argument escalated when Salgado-Alfaro pulled out a pistol and struck Herrera in the head. According to the girlfriend’s later testimony, Herrera then taunted Salgado-Alfaro, who proceeded to shoot him. When police officers arrived at the scene around 2:05 a.m., they found Herrera deceased in his car from at least one gunshot wound.

For nearly a year, no arrests were made in the case. Then, in May 2021, police arrested Salgado-Alfaro. During an interview with investigators, he admitted to the shooting, claiming he believed Herrera was reaching for a weapon at his waistband during their struggle. His girlfriend, who witnessed the incident, later testified that she had initially lied to police in an effort to minimize Salgado-Alfaro's culpability.

Salgado-Alfaro was charged with murder, shooting at an occupied vehicle, and gun possession. He initially pleaded not guilty and was held without bail. In January 2026, Salgado-Alfaro, then 23 years old, accepted a plea agreement. He pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter for the killing of Ernesto Herrera and was sentenced to nine years in state prison.