MOSS LANDING, CA — Two Salinas Union High School District students were among those killed in an overnight shooting near Moss Landing State Beach, prompting a message of grief from the district superintendent Monday as the school community begins to grapple with the loss, according to a report from KRON4.
Superintendent Zandra Jo Galván shared the news Monday evening, saying members of the district's student community were among the victims of the shooting, which happened just after midnight along Jetty Road near Moss Landing State Beach.
"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 in the tragic incident that occurred early Monday morning in Moss Landing," Galván said in a message to the community, according to KRON4.
The students' names and ages had not been released as of Tuesday morning. The district did not identify the schools they attended.
Galván urged the community to come together to support the families and others affected by the deaths.
"In moments of loss, the strength of our school community is found in the compassion and care we extend to one another," she stated. "We ask that you keep the families and all those affected in your thoughts as we come together to support one another through this tragedy."
The Monterey County Sheriff's Office responded to the shooting along Jetty Road, which leads to the state beach about halfway between Santa Cruz and Monterey. Deputies found two people suffering from gunshot wounds and pronounced them dead at the scene, authorities said.
Two other people were injured. One arrived at a local hospital shortly after the shooting with gunshot wounds believed to be connected to the incident. Another person was transported from the scene with injuries described as non-life-threatening. Their conditions were not immediately known.
The shooting prompted California State Parks to close Jetty Road and Moss Landing State Beach while authorities investigated, as Patch reported Monday. The sheriff's office said there was no ongoing threat to the community. The road and beach reopened before 4 p.m.
Investigators had not announced a motive or identified a suspect as of Tuesday morning. At a Monday news conference, Monterey County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Andres Rosas said authorities had few details about the circumstances, including whether the people involved knew one another.
The sheriff's office is asking anyone with information to call 831-755-5111.
Read the full story at KRON4.
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