Francisco Solorio, 37, was shot in a Salinas parking lot at 1022 Del Monte Avenue on the evening of February 11, 2015, just before 8 p.m. He died of his injuries early the next day at Natividad Medical Center. Witnesses reported that, when questioned by his assailants, Solorio identified himself as a member of the Sureno gang; investigators concluded the shooting was gang-related and that his affiliation probably influenced the motive.

Solorio’s killing was part of a surge in gang-related homicides in Salinas in early 2015; it was counted as the sixth such incident that year. Detectives faced witness reluctance tied to fear of retaliation, though police said they gathered evidence that led to arrests of individuals connected to the shooting; specific suspect names and charges were not disclosed in initial reports. The community response included stepped-up police presence and outreach efforts aimed at deterring gang involvement.

If anyone knew Francisco, was in that area that night, or has information about the shooting, please come forward to assist the investigation.