Mother mourns the loss of her world with the tragic murder of Raymond “Mundo” Matias

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) Update Dec. 2, 2022, at 7:21 p.m.- It's been nearly three long months for a Salinas mother since she got a call from the police that her son was never coming back home again.

Raymond "Mundo" Matias' mother, Marlene Marquez, says she still waits for her boy to come back from school most days. Tragically he was shot down at a house party doing the right thing.

"He defended his best friend. Who was a queer girl, and because of that, he lost his life. He did everything I taught him to do. He did the right thing," said a tearful Marquez.

The single mother said that even though the people responsible are behind bars... That doesn't bring her son back to her. The only thing she wants will never be given to her. She hopes that the people responsible can never experience the joy that took away from her.

Salinas Police said surveillance video, community tips, and old-fashioned police work are what helped put two teen suspects behind bars. They added they would let the judicial system comment on the details of Mundo's murder.

Mundo would have turned 18 on Dec. 9. His mother is asking everyone to wear Mundo's favorite color, purple, on that day to honor her son's memory.

"Raymond was so excited to be 18. If you can help honor him by wearing purple on Dec. 9. I know Raymond would be smiling down from wherever he was," said Marquez. " I just don't understand. It was senseless. It was senseless."

Two teens arrested in the murder of North County High football player Raymond "Mundo" Matias

Update Dec. 1, 2022, at 9:51 a.m.- Salinas Police have arrested two teen suspects in relation to the murder of a North County High School student at a house party in October.

A 16-year-old Salinas resident and Mario Arriaga, 19, of Chualar, were arrested and charged with the murder of Raymond "Mundo" Matias, who was just 17 years old, said police.

The teen suspects were arrested on Wednesday morning, one on the 25000 block of Roosevelt Street in Chualar, the other on the 800 block of Mescal Court in Salinas. The juvenile was booked into Monterey County Juvenile Hall, and Suspect Arriaga was lodged at the Monterey County Jail, according to police.

Matias died after suffering several gunshot wounds. Police said numerous people who attended the party drove off after the shots were fired before police arrived.

Salinas family loses their world after loss of Raymond "Mundo" Matias in house party shooting

UPDATE Oct. 14, 2022, at 7:51 a.m.- A family continues to mourn the loss of a teen who was shot and killed early Sunday morning at a house party in south Salinas.

The 17-year-old victim has been identified as Raymond Xavier Matias. To his family, however, he was "Mundo," meaning world in Spanish. He had a special bond with his mother, and she is devastated at the loss of her only child.

"He was our family's world he was the light of our life," said Mundo's cousin, Kaili Page, who spoke on behalf of the whole family.

They say "Mundo" was 20 credits from graduating and was a North County football team member. He will be honored Friday night by having his name read along with the rest of the team.

The family also told KION police haven't been able to make an arrest yet because a lot of people who attended the party have not stepped forward.

"We were all so close to him and to his family. We just want to see justice be done for him and his family and the community as well," said Page

The family says that just before shots were fired, Matias stopped a group of five men from attacking a female friend, who they claim is still in the hospital. He was then shot and killed for his heroic actions.

Mundo's mother said she doesn't know if she wishes he had or had not stepped in when he did. He did the right thing in her eyes but at an unnecessary cost.

Salinas Police has not confirmed this information to us. We have reached out multiple times for comment this afternoon for an update on this shooting investigation and have yet to hear back.

The family is asking the community to help celebrate Mundo's life on Oct. 18 by wearing purple, his favorite color, and posting #Purple4Ray on social media.

"Just to see that everyone is rallying behind our family in finding justice. So people see that he matters and that this type of thing needs to stop," said Page.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Salinas Police.

The family has started a GoFundMe to help with funeral costs, if you'd like to donate, you can click here.

Teenager killed in deadly Salinas house party shooting identified

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) -- UPDATE Oct. 12, 2022, at 10:51 a.m.- Salinas Police have identified the teenage victim that was killed in a house party in Salinas Sunday morning on the 1300 block of San Ysidro Way.

Raymond Xavier Matias, 17, of Salinas, was shot and killed that morning. Salinas Police don't have a motive and are working to learn more about this case.

Police said Matias was attending the party and did not live at the house.

Salinas Police says there are no suspect details at this time.

A gofundme has been started by the family to help with funeral costs, if you'd like to donate, you can click here.

ORIGINAL STORY

Salinas Police are looking for a suspect or suspects involved in a shooting that killed a male victim early Sunday morning.

Police said they were responding to reports of a large party on the 1300 block of San Ysidro Way just after 1 a.m.

The initial call was followed by reports of shots being fired in the same location.

When officers got to the scene they found a male victim who was shot multiple times.

The male, whose age is between 17 and 20 years old, died of their injuries.

Police are still working to identify the victim and are also asking for witnesses to the shooting to step forward.

Investigators said multiple people at the party escaped in cars after the shots were fired prior to police getting there.

If you have any information on the shooting, police ask that you contact Detective John Richardson at 831-758-7478. If you wish to remain anonymous you may also call the Salinas Police Department anonymous tip line at 831-775-4222.