Two people were killed and two others wounded in a shooting near a California beach early Monday, authorities said.
Deputies with the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, California State Parks personnel and California Highway Patrol officers responded to reports of gunfire on Jetty Road in Moss Landing shortly before 2 a.m.
Deputies found two victims at the scene who were later pronounced dead, the sheriff’s office said.
A third shooting victim went to a local hospital. Authorities had not released that person’s condition.
Two people died and two others were injured in a shooting near a California beach early Monday. (KTVU)
A fourth victim was transported from the scene to a hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening, authorities said.
The names of the two people killed were being withheld while forensic examinations were conducted and their families were notified.
“This is a tragic incident that has resulted in the loss of two lives,” Monterey County Sheriff Tina M. Nieto said in a statement.
“Our detectives are working to establish the circumstances surrounding what occurred. We ask anyone who may have information, regardless of how insignificant it may seem, to come forward and assist with this investigation.”
Authorities were withholding the names of the two people killed pending forensic examinations and family notifications. (KTVU)
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California State Parks Police closed Jetty Road and Moss Landing State Beach at the sheriff’s office’s request as investigators continued working at the scene.
“There is no active threat to the Moss Landing Community at this time,” the sheriff’s office said.
Investigators have not disclosed what prompted the shooting.
“This remains an active investigation and additional information will be released as it becomes available,” the sheriff’s office said.
State Sen. John Laird described the shooting as an “unspeakable horror” and expressed his condolences to those affected.
Investigators have not disclosed what prompted the shooting. (KTVU)
“Over the weekend, there were numerous reports of shooting deaths across the country. This unspeakable horror has also hit home on the Central Coast, with reports of multiple fatalities just after midnight today in Moss Landing,” Laird said in a statement.
“The pain and suffering of all those impacted is impossible to measure and my heart goes out to everyone. Thank you to the Monterey County Sheriff and team for its management of this devastating situation.”
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office could not immediately be reached for comment.
