Release Date & Time: July 12, 2022 05:18 PM
Incident: Homicide Investigation Update
Date: July 19, 2021
Time: 04:30 AM
Location: 500 Block Fremont Street

On July 19, 2021, at approximately 4:30 am Salinas Police Officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation of shots fired in the 500 block of Fremont St. Upon arrival they located 25-year-old Nelson Leonardo Sanchez-Ruiz suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was not responsive, and officers began to perform lifesaving measures however when medical personnel arrived Sanchez-Ruiz was declared deceased.

Salinas Police Detectives responded to the scene and took over the investigation. Initially there was limited suspect information to include an unknown male last seen running westbound on Fremont St. immediately after the shots were fired. Over the past year Detectives continued to actively investigate the case following all leads. As the investigation continued Detectives were able to identify Josias Alexis Angel Abarca (25) as the suspect in this homicide investigation.

On Tuesday, July 12, 2022, Josias Alexis Angel Abarca, who was already in custody at the Monterey County Jail on unrelated charges was booked for the murder of Sanchez-Ruiz.

If anyone has additional information regarding this incident, please contact Detective Gabriela Contreras at 831-758-7971. If you wish to remain anonymous, please call our anonymous tip line at 831-775-4222.

Release Authorized by: Commander James Arensdorf
Telephone: 831-758-7250