Seaside Police reopening over 25 cold cases, starting with man killed in 2014 misidentification

SEASIDE, Calif. (KION-TV)- Seaside Police said they are reopening a cold case where a man was shot and killed in what is believed to be a case of mistaken identity in 2014.

"We examine all the evidence that we have. We'll see what we can do to solve it," said Justin Pascone, Police Commander for the Seaside Police Department.

Seaside Police said that Rafael Wynn, 28 at the time, was driving on General Jim Moore Boulevard on Wednesday, July 23 in 2014 when he was shot and killed just after midnight. Police said he was an upstanding and highly respected community member.

Police believed he was shot in a gang-related incident and was misidentified and targeted because of his race. He had no gang ties and was considered a "good person."

Neighbors in the area are happy to see police heating up cold cases.

"People do have to get held accountable for what they do regardless," said Carla Geronimo who lives in Seaside.

Carla and other neighbors in the area it's better late to solve this case than never.

"This person, whoever did it, you know, can probably target somebody else or just something else can happen," said Jeronimo

"You can find the people that actually did it. That's number one, too. And you got those people still got problems with themselves, probably," said Julio Alma who lives in Seaside.

"They took someone's life is very sad. Yes. It's not coming back. But still, you know, it's very.Sad," said Kamla Ram who lives in Seaside.

Wynn was playing on the Salinas Spartans semi-pro football team at the time. Local Olympic bobsled runner NickCunningham said Wynn also was active in the community and worked security during the California Salinas Rodeo the past weekend before he was killed.

Police were not able to release any evidence being used for this case but did say they plan to re-open about 28 more cold cases.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Seaside Police at 831-899-6748.

"We will be highlighting cases from time-to-time as a result. We cannot guarantee results, but we CAN GUARANTEE EFFORT!" said Seaside Police.

Monterey High alum and athlete fatally shot in Seaside

Seaside police identified the man shot and killed in his car on General Jim Moore Boulevard just after midnight Wednesday as 28-year-old Rafael Wynn.

Seaside police said Wynn had no known gang ties and no criminal history.

Those who knew Wynn, like local Olympic bobsled runner Nick Cunningham, said he is reeling from the loss of a friend who he was supposed to go have a beer with this week.

Cunningham, who grew up in Monterey, said Wynn was an amazing guy. They played track and football together at Monterey High and at MPC.

Cunningham said "Ralf" as he called him, was the guy that if you were having a bad day, you could count on him to put the smile back on your face. Right now, Nick is one of many people angry, upset and with so many questions about what happened to their friend.

Wynn was playing on the Salinas Spartans semi-pro football team. Cunningham said Wynn also was active in the community, and even working security during the California Salinas Rodeo this past weekend.

Residents reported hearing shots in the area just north of San Pablo Avenue.

Officers responded and found Wynn in a car with gunshot wounds. He died at the scene.

Seaside police ask anyone with information about the incident to call the department at 899-6748 or the anonymous tipline at 899-6282, or leave a tip at the Seaside Police Department's online tip website.