Karina Chavez Vargas was 23 and a student of kinesiology at California State University, Monterey Bay when she was killed on February 5, 2022. Karina, originally from Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico, lived in Salinas, California.

On the evening of her death Karina and her boyfriend, Jesus Arias Villa, were sitting in their car near Closter Park in Salinas when two individuals approached and opened fire. Both Karina and Jesus were shot and killed. Investigators later determined the shooting was a case of mistaken identity; neither victim had gang affiliations.

Authorities identified the two suspects as cousins Gonzalo and Jose Echeverria and linked them to the scene with surveillance footage and cellphone evidence. The case devastated the Salinas community and Karina’s family, coming just before she was due to graduate and begin work in her field.

If anyone knew Karina, Jesus, or has information about that night, please share what you know with the local investigators handling the case.