MoCo deputies identify Pajaro homicide victim

UPDATE 3/6/2015: Monterey County deputies have identified the homicide victim found dead in Pajaro Monday as Juan Manuel Ponce-Gonzalez, 27, of Watsonville.

Deputies said an autopsy revealed Ponce-Gonzalez was shot and killed near a local business off of Salinas Street, where his body was found lying in the parking lot.

Investigators said his family lives in Mexico and they have been notified, as they continue questioning friends about his death.

Detectives are still looking for information from anyone who may have been in the area Monday to contact the department at (831) 755-3772 or TIP Line (888) 833-4847.

PREVIOUS STORY: Early Monday morning, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said its investigating a homicide after a dead man was found lying near Salinas Street and Fremont Street in Pajaro.

Deputies said he had been shot to death and he is not being identified yet.

They also said the incident was reported by a driver who saw the victim and flagged a deputy down around 1:40 a.m.

Anyone with information is being asked to call Inv. Sgt. Terry Kaiser or Inv. Brett Speirs at (831) 755-3772 or the Tip Line at (888) 833-4847.