DA seeks to try Salinas teen as adult in deadly Morgan Hill mass shooting
Law enforcement officials announced Monday that the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office is seeking to charge a 17-year-old arrested in Salinas as an adult in connection with the July 25 pop-up party shooting. The teen faces one count of murder and six counts of attempted murder.
The suspect was arrested Thursday in connection with the shooting at a pop-up birthday party in unincorporated Morgan Hill that left one person dead and six others injured, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigative and tactical teams served a “high-risk search warrant” at a home in Salinas, where the suspect was safely taken into custody. Law enforcement officials confirmed that the teen is from Salinas and was arrested at his home.
The shooting happened at a party in a field in the 600 block of Hale Avenue. The gathering was advertised on social media and drew hundreds of people.
During a news conference, law enforcement officials said multiple fights broke out during the party, leading the suspect to allegedly fire into the crowd.
Earlier this month, the Sheriff’s Office announced a partnership with the FBI, which offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to the identification and arrest of the suspected shooter.
Community members submitted tips, videos and photos through the FBI’s digital media tip line. Investigators said the information helped them identify the suspect and led to his arrest.
The suspect was arraigned Monday morning at the Santa Clara County Juvenile Justice Courthouse in San Jose. He remains in custody and is scheduled to return to court near the end of September, when a judge will determine whether he will be charged as an adult.
Because the suspect is a minor, authorities are not releasing his name or booking photo.
The investigation remains ongoing.