Local educator reacts after 13-year-old shot in Salinas

Chris Devers works with kids in Monterey County schools that need a helping hand the most, the ones who have started to go down a tough path. He sees first-hand the difficulties these kids face when taking a stand between education or a life on the streets.

“Often the stand involves choosing one group or the other and your choices sometimes lead to violent activities,” said Devers.

It’s a lot of choices that all led up to a 13-year-old becoming the next victim of a violent gang-related shooting in Salinas.

The 13-year-old boy was walking on Santa Rita Street around 7 p.m. Saturday when a man approached him carrying a handgun.

Investigators were able to identify that man as 18-year-old Jose Christian Regalado.

Salinas police Cmdr. Vince Maiorana said, “The suspect is a known gang member in town. He has some what of an arrest history.”

Police said the 13-year-old will survive, but educators like Chris Devers sees this every day and worries as the kids involved seem to get younger and younger.

“This kid was obviously struggling and I’m sure would have chosen a more positive path if he knew what the outcome was going to be,” said Devers.

As a father of two, Devers said choosing the right path starts at home.

“It’s often something they see growing up. Often the pulls and challenges of staying on the right path is difficult,” said Devers.

Difficult, and a choice many kids in Salinas face every day.