Two teenage boys have been identified as the victims of a California beach shooting that left two other people injured. Marco Antonio Perez, 15, and Nathaniel Flores, 13, were found dead at Moss Landing State Beach in Monterey County.
Both boys were from Salinas, while Flores was only days away from his 14th birthday, according to authorities and tributes from his youth football organisation.
Police were called to the beach shortly before 2am on Monday after reports of gunfire. The two victims were found at the scene with apparent gunshot wounds.
A third person was taken to a local hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening, while a fourth later went to hospital with gunshot wounds. Their identities have not been released.
Commander Andres Rosas said there had been no further update on the injured victims because of patient privacy laws. Officers are only notified if a patient dies.
“Fortunately, we have NOT received that type of update,” he said.
The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain under investigation, and police have not yet formally classified them.
“We’re not calling this a homicide. We haven’t confirmed if this is a homicide or a suicide or any other type of death. We have not made that declaration yet,” Mr Rosas told reporters.
He added: “We are investigating the circumstances under which these individuals died as a result of gunshot wounds here at the scene.”
Authorities said they did not believe there was an ongoing threat. State Park Ranger Supervisor Mike Dipple described the incident as isolated and said the park would reopen once the crime scene had been cleared.
The Salinas Union High School District confirmed that both boys were among its students. Superintendent Dr Zandra Jo Galvan said: “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.”
She said emotional support services would be available to students and staff as the community grieved.
Flores played for the Steinbeck Tigers Youth Football and Cheer organisation, which has launched a fundraiser for his family. The organisation said he had been preparing to celebrate his 14th birthday on Friday.
“His unexpected passing has left his family, teammates, coaches, and our entire Steinbeck community heartbroken,” the fundraiser description said.
It added: “Once a Tiger, always a Tiger. Rest in peace, Nathaniel ‘Nate’ Flores.”
