On January 9, 2022, 22-year-old Jorge Cortes of King City, California, was shot and killed around 4:50 p.m. in the 300 block of South Vanderhurst Avenue. Officers and the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office responded after gunshots were reported and found Cortes with fatal gunshot wounds; emergency medical responders pronounced him dead at the scene. A female companion who was with Cortes escaped unharmed.

Investigators identified a green GMC truck from the early 2000s as the suspect vehicle. Surveillance footage and witness statements showed suspects exiting that truck, confronting Cortes and the woman, and opening fire before fleeing in the truck. The following day police served a search warrant at a residence in the 300 block of North San Lorenzo Avenue and recovered the suspect vehicle plus a .223 caliber non-serialized assault rifle and three handguns; nearby schools were briefly placed on lockdown during the search.

If anyone witnessed the shooting, saw the vehicle, or has other information, please contact investigators.