Oxnard man convicted of killing Salinas man in 2021 shooting
SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) -- A 26-year-old Oxnard man has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the shooting death of Nelson Sanchez in Salinas back in 2021.
Josias Alex Angel Abarca faces a life sentence after the conviction in court this week.
The Monterey County D.A.'s office said Abarca waited outside the victim's home with a gun and shot the victim six times while he was on his way to work.
The D.A. said Salinas Police were able to connect evidence in Abarca's phone and the shell casings at the scene to Abarca.
Abarca is scheduled to be sentenced on December 15.
Man arrested in connection with 2021 Fremont Street homicide
SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV)- Salinas Police said they made an arrest Tuesday concerning a 2021 Fremont Street homicide.
Josias Alexis Angel Abarca allegedly shot and killed 25-year-old Nelson Leonardo Sanchez-Ruiz on the 500 block of Fremont Street on July 19, 2021. Salinas Police said they responded at 4:30 a.m. to a ShotSpotter activation and found Sanchez-Ruiz suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
The victim was not responsive and died of their injuries after medical personnel attempted life-saving measures, according to Salinas Police.
"Initially, there was limited suspect information to include an unknown male last seen running westbound on Fremont St. immediately after the shots were fired. Over the past year, Detectives continued to actively investigate the case, following all leads," said Salinas Police.
Angel Abarca was already in custody inside Monterey County Jail for an unrelated incident in February 2022. He was booked Tuesday for the murder of Sanchez-Ruiz, according to police.
