On the evening of March 3, 2024, a birthday gathering in the front yard of a residence on the 200 block of North Second Street in King City, California, was struck by a mass shooting. Masked gunmen opened fire, killing four people at the scene. One of the deceased was 32-year-old King City resident Francisco Aldape. The other victims were 32-year-old Alicia Ramirez Aparicio, the birthday celebrant; 42-year-old Mario Guzman Mendoza; and 32-year-old Olivo Perez Pina. Seven additional people were wounded, two reported in critical condition.

By May 10, 2024, three people from Greenfield, California, had been arrested in connection with the attack: 18-year-old Jonathan Leal Cervantes, 32-year-old Pedro Manuel Nava, and a juvenile. They were booked on multiple counts including four counts of murder, four counts of criminal conspiracy to commit murder, seven counts of attempted murder, and assorted weapons and gang enhancement charges. Authorities said the suspects were also tied to a February 4, 2024 double homicide near Soledad. The investigation is ongoing under the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office.

If anyone knew Francisco Aldape or was at the gathering and can help clarify what happened that night, please share what is known.