Marco Antonio Perez, a 15-year-old boy from Salinas, California, was a student in the Salinas Union High School District. A fundraiser established for his family described his death as "tragic and unjust," a loss that left his loved ones grieving and in "immense pain." His life was cut short alongside a younger friend in the early morning hours of a Monday in the fall of 2026.
The night unfolded at a popular coastal spot known for its natural beauty. In the hours before 2 a.m. on Monday, November 2, 2026, a "pop-up" party was happening on Moss Landing State Beach, an area that officially closes at sunset. A teenage witness later said that up to 30 people had gathered for the event. The scene, captured in aerial footage after the incident, was littered with red drinking cups, a cooler, and other debris scattered along Jetty Road, a paved road that runs between the beach and the Elkhorn Slough.
It was there, in the darkness, that gunfire erupted, sending attendees scattering.
When emergency services arrived, the party was over. Monterey County Sheriff’s deputies, California Highway Patrol officers, and State Parks rangers responded to reports of gunshots. They discovered a tragic scene. Marco Antonio Perez and his friend, 13-year-old Nathaniel Flores, had both been shot. The two boys were pronounced deceased at the scene. Two other people were also wounded in the shooting. One victim was transported by ambulance to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while a fourth person was taken to a hospital by private means; the extent of their injuries was not publicly disclosed.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office took the lead on the investigation, closing Jetty Road and Moss Landing State Beach for much of the day while detectives and crime scene technicians worked. Investigators acknowledged they were looking into the beach party but had not confirmed if it was connected to the shooting. In the immediate aftermath, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office stated they had not yet determined a motive or identified a suspect, and had not officially classified the deaths as homicides pending further investigation. Sheriff Tina M. Nieto described the shooting as a "tragic incident that has resulted in the loss of two lives."
The deaths of the two teenagers sent a shockwave through their home community of Salinas. Zandra Jo Galvan, the Superintendent for the Salinas Union High School District, issued a statement on behalf of the district. “It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we share that members of our district student community were among those who lost their lives,” she wrote. “Our hearts are with the student’s family, friends, classmates, and all those whose lives have been touched by this devastating loss.” The district made counseling and emotional support staff available to students and staff grappling with the news.
In the wake of the tragedy, online fundraisers were started for the families of both Marco and Nathaniel to help cover funeral and memorial expenses. The community was asked to come together to support the grieving families while respecting their privacy. State and local leaders also expressed their sorrow over the violence. California State Parks officials noted that the beach could be a site for after-hours gatherings and announced they would increase patrols in the area.
As of early November 2026, the investigation into the shooting that killed Marco Antonio Perez and Nathaniel Flores remained active and ongoing. No arrests had been made, and authorities had not released any information about potential suspects. The Monterey County Sheriff's Office urged the public to come forward with any information. "We ask anyone who may have information, regardless of how insignificant it may seem, to come forward and assist with this investigation," Sheriff Nieto stated. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Sergeant Nick Kennedy at 831-755-3773 or Detective Richard Geng at 831-759-7279.
