Nathaniel Flores, a 13-year-old boy from Salinas, California, was a beloved member of his family and community, known for his involvement in youth football. A player for the Steinbeck Tigers Youth Football & Cheer league, Nathaniel was remembered by his team as more than just a name on a roster. His coaches and teammates saw him as family, someone they had the privilege of watching grow, encouraging through challenges, and celebrating in victory. His loss was deeply felt by all who knew him. Nathaniel was just days away from celebrating his 14th birthday.
In the pre-dawn hours of Monday, November 2, 2026, a tragedy unfolded on the coast of Monterey County. Shortly before 2 a.m., Monterey County Sheriff’s deputies, California State Parks personnel, and California Highway Patrol officers responded to reports of gunshots along Jetty Road, an access road near Moss Landing State Beach. When they arrived at the scene, they discovered four people had been shot.
Nathaniel Flores and another Salinas teen, 15-year-old Marco Antonio Perez, were found deceased. A third victim was transported to a local hospital, and a fourth injured person was taken to the hospital by private means.
The shooting occurred in an area known for after-hours gatherings, though authorities did not immediately confirm a connection between a possible party and the violence. Aerial footage from the scene showed red drinking cups, a cooler, and cans scattered across the beach area near where evidence markers were placed. In the wake of the incident, California State Parks Police closed Jetty Road and Moss Landing State Beach for the investigation, reopening the area later that day. Both Nathaniel and Marco were students in the Salinas Union High School District.
The Monterey County Sheriff's Office is leading the homicide investigation. Sheriff Tina M. Nieto described the shooting as a "tragic incident" and urged the public to come forward with any information, "regardless of how insignificant it may seem." Detectives were working to piece together the circumstances that led to the shooting. No arrests were immediately made, and no suspects were publicly identified.
The community was left reeling from the loss of two young lives. Zandra Jo Galvan, the Salinas Union High School District Superintendent, issued a statement expressing profound sadness. "Our hearts are with the student's family, friends, classmates, and all those whose lives have been touched by this devastating loss," the statement read. The district made counseling services and resources available to students affected by the tragedy. The Steinbeck Tigers football organization also shared their heartbreak, stating, "Our hearts are with his family, friends, teammates, and everyone who knew and loved him."
In the days following the shooting, the Steinbeck Tigers youth sports group organized a GoFundMe campaign to help Nathaniel's family with the unexpected costs of a funeral and memorial. The fundraiser highlighted the close bond the team shared with Nathaniel, emphasizing the deep sense of loss felt by the entire organization.
As of November 2026, the investigation into the deaths of Nathaniel Flores and Marco Antonio Perez remained ongoing. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has not released further details about the other two victims or a potential motive for the shooting. Authorities have asked anyone with information to contact Detective Sgt. Nick Kennedy at (831) 755-3773 or Detective Richard Geng at (831) 759-7279.
