Salinas police investigating third homicide of 2014

Salinas Police are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred Tuesday night on Towt Street.

Officers responded to reports of a gunshot victim around 7 p.m. Tuesday. There they found Juan Carlos Pedraza, 47, with multiple gunshot wounds. Officers attempted life-saving efforts but Pedraza died at the scene.

According to police, Pedraza was apparently walking near his home when he was confronted by an unknown individual.

Initial reports are that the suspect or suspects were in a white SUV and took off toward Alisal.

Detectives are looking for additional witnesses or anyone who may have information about the shooting. Witnesses should contact detective Brian Johnson at 758-7143 or detective Robert Zuniga at 831-7276, or call the anonymous tipline at 775-4222.

This was the third homicide in Salinas in 2014, and the second to occur this month. Isaias Edeza, 36, was fatally shot outside a bar in the early morning hours of March 8. Jose Gonzalez Solano, 37, was shot to death near his home on North Main Street on the morning of Jan. 11.