On the evening of July 26, 2026, a shooting outside the 7-Eleven on Market Street in Yuba City left 21-year-old Fernando Cortez dead. The gunfire erupted shortly before 11 p.m. after a physical altercation; neighbors reported hearing as many as 10 to 15 shots. Cortez was pronounced dead at the scene.

Eighteen-year-old Moses Mendoza was also shot and taken to a hospital, where he later died. A 19-year-old man suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the hand. Mendoza’s family described him as a hardworking school district employee with plans to join the military and said he had no criminal or gang ties. Small memorials of flowers and candles appeared at the scene.

The Yuba City Police Department, with help from the California Department of Justice, is actively investigating and processing evidence. No arrests or public suspect identifications have been announced. If anyone witnessed the altercation or the shooting, or has information that could help the investigation, please come forward.