Family remembers Armando Corpuz a year after he was shot and killed outside Soledad home

SOLEDAD, Calif. (KION-TV) UPDATE April 15, 2023, 6:15 p.m.-- Family and friends gathered to celebrate the life of two men who were tragically gunned down a year ago.

Family of Armando Corpuz gathered, the only way the chef knew how to, by feeding loved ones. A cookout was held in front of 8th Street in the same spot Armando, his brother Anthony, and Anthony's friend was shot at during a cookout.

"We are out here remembering him and what he would do with us," said Armando's older brother Arthur Corpuz, 40. "He would be in charge of everything. He would cook for everyone making sure you would leave with a full stomach and an extra plate to go home."

Armando and Raul Arias did not survive the shooting, where Soledad Police said they found 40 bullet casings, and Anthony was also shot but survived to live on for his brother.

Soledad Police said a year ago, this was a seemingly random act of violence against people with no gang ties. At the time they said they were looking for potentially four gunmen.

Armando's girlfriend, Melisa A. Tercero, came from Texas to spend time with her would-be inlaws. She said his family has embraced her as one of their own, especially after Armanso's passing.

She was planning on moving in with Armando before his passing and said she hung up with him that night, and his family called him minutes later to tell her he had been shot.

"It's been really rough," said Arthur. "Not only with the answer on why? But we have to find different ways to talk and reminisce about it. It's just so hurtful because there is no way to recreate the way he provided for everyone, the smile he gave to everyone."

KION tried reaching out to Soledad Police for an update on the case, but they have yet to respond.

Family remembers Armando Corpuz "son with a heart of gold" shot and killed in Soledad

KION spoke with the family of a man gunned down and killed in Soledad Friday night while he was grilling outside his mother's home.

"I still don't believe it... I'm in shock," said the mother of Armando Corpuz. "I'm on a rollercoaster, like every day. One minute we're good, next minute we are crying."

We reached out to Soledad police for an update on what they described as a random act of violence and are awaiting a response.

Corpuz reiterated that her sons and Raul Arias, who was also killed, had no gang ties and are not sure why they were targeted.

Armando was on his way to paving a promising life when it was suddenly taken that Friday night.

"He had big plans and they were all falling in place," said Corpuz's mom. "He was going to start a business, we were going to purchase a food truck within the next two to three weeks. His girlfriend was going to move over here from Texas. He was going to get married and give me grandkids."

Armando's brother was out of the hospital after being shot in the back and said he feels better but nothing will make losing his brother to this senseless violence any better.

He feels like, "the gang's won."

The family said nothing will make losing Armando any better but they want justice to be served.

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UPDATE April 17, 4:15 p.m.-- The second victim in a Soledad shooting that left two dead and one person injured Friday has been identified.

Raul Rios Arias III, 29, was identified by the family of Corpuz as the second man to have been killed in a seemingly random act of violence.

Corpuz's family adds that he was born in Whittier, and was raised in Sacramento and Arkansas but was originally from Salinas.

It was his first time visiting Soledad as he was visiting his friend Anthony, who was also shot but is expected to survive and asked to stay the night.

A gofundme has been made to help Arias' family with funereal expenses and you can find the link to donate here.

This remains an active investigation and Soledad Police said they are looking for at least four suspected gunmen.

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UPDATE April 16, 1:36 a.m.-- The mother of two of the victims shot in Soledad Friday night has confirmed the identities of the victims with KION.

Armando Corpuz, 34, was one of the victims killed in the shooting, and his brother Anthony, 29, was taken to hospital but is expected to be okay, according to their mother.

The second deceased victim was a friend of Anthony's who came to visit from out of town and asked to spend the night. Soledad Police and the family have not identified this victim until that victim's family has been notified of their death.

Armando's mother said he was a chef and had finished culinary school in Las Vegas.

A family member told KION that all three men were grilling outside Corpuz's mother's home when for an unknown reason they were shot at.

The family adds they have no idea why the men were targeted. They had no gang ties and were hard-working young men.

There is still no motive for the shooting but Soledad Police say they suspect four gunmen were involved due to different shell casings being found at the scene.

A gofundme has been set up by Armando's family to help with funeral expenses and you can donate here.

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UPDATE April 15, 11:41 p.m.-- Soledad Police initially told KION a preliminary investigation revealed a dispute over child visitation led up to the shooting. However, they said that may now not be the case and are looking at other possible motives.

Soledad Deputy Chief of Police Fred Lombardi told KION it received reports of a shooting on the 200 Block of Eighth Street Friday night.

Lombardi said three people were shot, with two being killed on the scene.

Greenfield Police are on the scene assisting with the investigation.

Lombardi said the shooting happened at one house.

Detective Sergeant Justin Mattkey with the Soledad Police Department said they know there are four shooters. Police said they know the shooters left the scene in a vehicle and they're working to figure out who the suspects are and where they went.

ORIGINAL STORY

SOLEDAD, Calif. (KION-TV)- Two people are dead after a shooting in Soledad along the 200 Block of Eighth Street Friday night on April 15.

Soledad Police confirmed with KION that one other person was shot and taken to the hospital.

In their preliminary investigation, Soledad Police said a dispute over child visitation led up to the shooting and that the suspect allegedly shot family members.

People who live nearby said the scene is still active and that Eighth Street is blocked off as the investigation continues.

Police said the suspect has not been apprehended at this time.

This is a developing story.