Non-Gang Victim Targeted in Salinas
Can being in a certain age range in parts of Monterey County, put a target on your head? Central Coast News found out just how dangerous it is to simply be a young man living in the county. We took a look at how you don’t have to be in a gang to become a victim.
Salinas police said on the latest is a 21-year-old young man, shot while he was walking near Parajo St. and Gabilan St just after 8pm Sunday night. Police said he was asked one question before it happened-what gang was he in? He said none and walked away. Moments later he was shot in the back with a small caliber handgun.
Local probation officers said violence toward non-gang members is something everyone needs to be aware of.
“But a kid could have no gang affiliation but because he’s in a gang neighborhood, there might be individuals that have issues with that certain person and they may just be in the wrong place at the wrong time,” said Monterey County probation officer Bob Reyes.
Officers said the most common target is Hispanic males, as young as 10 to 24 years old. But just because a young man may not fit that demographic and doesn’t show any gang affiliation doesn’t mean he won’t be a target. Police said the victim was just walking, when he was shot several times.