On May 11, 2023, at about 6:30 p.m., Vacaville police responded to reports of gunfire on the 100 block of Meadows Drive and found 16-year-old Mateo Godinez-Vallejo of Sacramento suffering from a gunshot wound. Mateo was taken to a local hospital but was pronounced dead later that evening.

Investigators say an earlier altercation involved Mateo and a 17-year-old male from Vacaville; both teenagers were shot. The 17-year-old sought treatment and was arrested on May 12 after his hospital discharge on charges of murder and unlawful discharge of a firearm and is being held at Solano County Juvenile Hall. A second Vacaville youth, age 16, was arrested on May 15 on charges of attempted murder and unlawful discharge of a firearm and was also booked into juvenile hall.

Mateo attended schools in the Washington Unified School District, including River City High School and Yolo High School, and the district said he will be deeply missed. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Meek at (707) 469-4810 or leave an anonymous tip at (707) 454-5722. Have readers who knew Mateo or witnessed the incident come forward with any information?