On the evening of February 22, 2019, Abdelwahed Rahali, a 37-year-old resident of Salinas, California, was tragically shot multiple times in front of his home on Granada Avenue. The incident occurred around 7:50 p.m., prompting a swift response from the Salinas Police Department, who were alerted by several calls and the activation of the ShotSpotter gunshot detection system.
Upon arrival, officers found Rahali with multiple gunshot wounds, and despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, he succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter.
The investigation into Rahali's death quickly led to the arrest of a 17-year-old suspect. The teenager was spotted by a Community Service Officer walking near Tampico Avenue and Rainer Drive, just a few blocks from the crime scene. The suspect's clothing and appearance matched the description provided by witnesses. Upon being detained, the suspect was found in possession of a concealed firearm and was subsequently charged with murder and possession of a concealed weapon. The motive behind the shooting was not immediately clear, and authorities did not confirm whether it was gang-related.
Further developments in the case revealed that the suspect, identified as Mextli Margarito Velarde, was ordered to stand trial for the murder of Rahali. During the preliminary hearing, Salinas police officers presented evidence, including surveillance footage and bullet analysis, which linked Velarde to the crime. The footage showed Velarde approaching Rahali on his porch and firing multiple shots. Additional evidence, such as the discovery of a 9mm Luger handgun and latex gloves in Velarde's backpack, further implicated him in the shooting. The case proceeded to trial, where Velarde faced charges of murder and shooting at a home with a special allegation for using a firearm.
The tragic death of Abdelwahed Rahali marked the first homicide in Salinas for the year 2019. The community was left in shock and mourning, as Rahali's family and friends grappled with the sudden and violent loss. The case highlighted ongoing concerns about gun violence in the area and underscored the efforts of local law enforcement to address and prevent such incidents. As the legal proceedings continued, the community awaited justice for Rahali and hoped for a resolution that would bring some measure of closure to his grieving loved ones.
