Fabian Ortega, 24, of Watsonville, California, was killed in a shooting on October 24, 2021, at a large gathering along the Salinas River north of Gonzales. The event, described by authorities as an organized gathering of about 300 people between Foletta Road and the river, began late on October 23 and continued into the early hours of October 24. Around 1:10 a.m., multiple gunshots were fired; Ortega and 30-year-old Araceli Verar, also of Watsonville, were killed and two other men in their 20s were wounded but survived.

On November 2, 2021, officers executed warrants at three Watsonville locations and arrested 24-year-old David Ireta-Reyes and 25-year-old William Garcia-Fuentes. Both were charged with homicide and a gang enhancement under the Street Terrorism Enforcement and Prevention Act in connection with the Salinas River shooting. The motive was not immediately clear.

If anyone was at the gathering or has information about what happened that night, please share what you know.