Conflicting accounts of the gunfire
The Nov. 2 shooting at Moss Landing State Beach killed Nathaniel Flores and Marco Antonio Perez, two Salinas boys ages 13 and 15, and injured two other people. According to the Monterey County Sheriff's Office, gunfire broke out shortly before 2 a.m. along Jetty Road, which leads to the beach.
Pacioni's account of the investigation, released in a social media statement and reported by KTVU, described conflicting witness accounts about which group fired first.
"The evidence as to who shot first points in different directions. Some of those present said the Salinas group shot first, while others said the Greenfield group shot first," Pacioni said.
Investigators recovered 21 shell casings and determined that at least two guns had been fired, Pacioni said. No firearms have been recovered. One boy sustained seven gunshot wounds and the other five; an injured Greenfield resident whom Pacioni described as a young adult was shot twice.
An argument between partygoers
Dozens of people were at the party, including groups from Salinas and Greenfield. Pacioni said Norteño gang members were among those present. Breeden and the wounded young adult were from Greenfield.
According to Pacioni, the confrontation began as an argument over allegations of inappropriate behavior by members of the Salinas group. Witnesses supported some allegations involving vandalism, theft and threats of violence.
A witness identified someone from the Salinas group as having allegedly taken necklaces from female partygoers. Officers later discovered gold necklaces inside that person's backpack, Pacioni said.
The dispute escalated from gang insults to a physical confrontation. Witnesses described people on both sides either carrying guns or holding their waistbands as if armed.
"At this time there is insufficient evidence to prove that Donald Breeden did not fire in self-defense," Pacioni said.
Searches and arrest
Breeden was arrested Thursday following searches at two locations on Nov. 5. ABC10, citing the Monterey County Sheriff's Office, identified him as Donald William Breeden and reported that he was arrested on two counts of murder with criminal street gang enhancements. He was booked into Monterey County Jail with bail set at $2,035,000.
Authorities executed the first search warrant around 3 p.m. in the 900 block of Maple Avenue in Greenfield, where they detained three people. The second search took place around 6 p.m. in the 45000 block of Crown Avenue in King City.
The sheriff's SWAT team, the Monterey Peninsula Special Response Unit and California State Parks assisted in serving the warrants, according to the Sheriff's Office account reported by ABC10.
Pacioni said the double-homicide investigation remains open despite the decision not to file charges at this time.
