Jorge David Alvarado Jr., a 30-year-old Salinas police officer and U.S. Army veteran, was killed on February 25, 2022. He was conducting a traffic stop near the intersection of Griffin Street and East Market Street when the driver, identified as Gustavo Morales, exited his vehicle and opened fire before Alvarado could exit his cruiser. Alvarado fired two shots during the encounter, one striking Morales in the hand, but succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

The shooting deeply affected the Salinas community and law enforcement colleagues. Funeral and memorial activities drew hundreds of law enforcement and fire department vehicles and community members lined the streets. Morales was apprehended and charged in connection with the killing; during his trial he testified he acted out of fear after Alvarado would have seen a loaded 9mm handgun in his car. Reports state Morales had a prior domestic violence conviction and was prohibited from owning firearms.

If anyone has information about the traffic stop or the events leading up to it, please share what is known with investigators.