Ricardo DeLeon, 45, of San Lucas, California, was shot and killed on the morning of September 5, 2021. Gunfire was reported about 3:35 a.m. on Julius Street; first responders found DeLeon had been shot multiple times and pronounced him dead. He was born June 12, 1976, in King City and grew up on the DeLeon Ranch in San Lucas, known to family for helping around the ranch, building go-carts, playing video games, swimming in the Salinas River and traveling.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office investigated and executed search warrants in King City that led to the arrests of two suspects, Samuel Tirado Ortiz and Andy Mendez, and the recovery of the suspected murder weapon and a vehicle tied to the crime. The motive has not been made clear. If anyone knew Ricardo or has information about what happened that night, please come forward to help his family and the investigation.