Release Date/Time: 9/19/2016 4:57 PM
Incident: Homicide Victim Identification
Date: Monday, 9/19/2016
Time: 4:55 PM
Location: 1 Bridge St.
On September 17, 2016, at approximately 7:20 am, Salinas Police officers were dispatched to a male down in the parking lot of 1 Bridge St. The victim was in between vehicles and could not be seen from the street. When officers arrived they found that the victim, 23-year-old Rafael Arturo Chavez, had suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was deceased. Chavez had been shot sometime during the early morning hours but the shooting was never called in to 911.
The Investigations Bureau is asking anyone who may have information regarding this shooting or may have seen the suspect fleeing the area, contact Detective Dave Poulin at (831) 758-7270 or Detective Stephen Craig at (831) 758-7929.
Chavez, who was a Salinas resident, is the 31st homicide in Salinas and the 7th in the Chinatown area this year.
The Salinas Police Department would also like to remind the community that we only want your information regarding any crime you may have knowledge. We are aware of the public's reluctance, especially in the Chinatown area, to come forward with information due to fear and will do everything possible to protect your identity. If you do not want to provide your personal information, you do not have to do so. If you would like to remain anonymous, you can call the Salinas Police Department Anonymous Tip Line at 831-775-4222, or the We-Tip Line at 1-800-78-CRIME, or text information to the Text Tip Line with the code "SPD831" to "847411".
Release Authorized by: Christopher Lane, Investigations Sergeant
Telephone: (831) 758-7496