On December 9, 2023, at about 2:18 a.m., Winston-Salem officers responded to gunfire and a vehicle collision in the 300 block of Barnes Road where a car had struck several parked vehicles. Inside that vehicle officers found 21-year-old Mitzi Yareli Saldana-Clemente and 20-year-old Yahir Jimenez-Laredo, both suffering apparent gunshot wounds; both were pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators later arrested four people in connection with the double homicide: 18-year-old Ryan Anguiano Prudente and three juveniles whose identities have not been released. Officers located Prudente walking along U.S. 52 about 5:30 a.m., accompanied by two juveniles, with a third juvenile hiding nearby. Evidence linked all four to the shootings, and each was charged with two counts of general murder; Prudente was held without bond pending his initial court appearance.

These deaths were recorded as the 45th and 46th homicides in Winston-Salem for 2023, up from 35 at the same point in 2022. Family and friends have expressed profound grief and a GoFundMe was set up to help with funeral expenses. If anyone has information about the shootings, please contact the Winston-Salem Police Department or Crime Stoppers.