Salinas man pleads guilty in drive-by shooting that killed 6-year-old boy

A Salinas man has pleaded guilty to two counts of murder for his role in two 2010 shootings, including one that killed a 6-year-old boy.

Prosecutors said Edmundo Pulido, 23, was the driver of a car in which another gang member shot at rival gang members, but missed. The bullet struck and killed Azahel Cruz inside his family’s East Laurel Drive home. Cruz was killed on March 23, 2010.

In December of that year, Pulido and two other men drove to Castroville and Pulido fatally shot 18-year-old Efran Hernandez Vargas, prosecutors said.

Pulido also plead guilty to felony battery and assault stemming from incidents that occurred while he was in jail.

Pulido was scheduled to begin trial for the Castroville homicide on Monday and for Cruz’ death in March 2015.

The man prosecutors say shot the little boy, Bernardo Camacho, remains scheduled for trial in that case in March.

Pulido will be sentenced in Monterey County Superior Court on Nov. 14. He’s expected to be sentenced to 35 years to life in prison.