Salinas community mourns loss of Juan Perez, 16

The Salinas community is mourning the loss of a teen shot and killed Sunday while riding his bike home.

Residents have placed flowers and candles near Sieber Avenue and Orchard Avenue, where he was killed.

Juan Perez, 16, was a student at Everett Alvarez High School, and police say he didn’t have a criminal record.

Everett Alvarez High School Principal Jacqui Axtell said Perez will be greatly missed.

“I just want to confirm that Juan Perez was our student at Everett Alvarez,” Axtell said. ‘He will be missed. I know that police are investigating the situation and so I really don’t want to say anything further out of respect for the family.”

Detectives say they’re having a hard time getting people to come forward with information. Anyone with information is asked to call the Salinas Police Department. Tips can remain anonymous.