A 26-year-old man and his 32-year-old girlfriend were shot and killed Monday night at a Fastrip gas station in Greenfield, in what police are calling a deliberate, targeted attack tied to gang retaliation.
The victims, identified as Aldo Juan Mandujano of King City and Elizabeth Saavedra of Soledad, were parked at pump number two at the station located at 145 El Camino Real, near Oak Avenue, when gunfire broke out around 10:50 p.m. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police Describe Coordinated Ambush
Greenfield Police Chief Guillermo Mixer said the shooting was carried out by multiple gunmen who fired as many as 30 rounds at the couple’s vehicle. Investigators believe the attack was not random.
“It appears to be an ambush, a very deliberate attack on both occupants,” Mixer said, according to police statements shared with local media.
Authorities say the shooting may be connected to an earlier homicide last month in Soledad, where a King City man was killed while on his way to his daughter’s soccer game.
Police believe Monday’s attack could have been carried out in retaliation for that earlier killing.
No arrests have been made as of Tuesday evening. Police said surveillance footage from the gas station, along with Flock camera systems and citywide surveillance grids, captured the shooting and the suspects’ getaway vehicle.
Investigators have not released any of that footage publicly, saying they do not want to compromise the ongoing investigation.
“We have quite a few leads,” Mixer said. “We’re optimistic about how this will turn out, and we’re definitely going to try and get justice for the victims’ families.”
Police also noted that surveillance video shows several other people were present at the gas station during the shooting, and investigators are hoping to speak with them as potential witnesses.
Community Reacts With Shock and Grief
The shooting has rattled residents in Greenfield, a small South Monterey County city that many describe as quiet and family-oriented.
“My reaction is very shocking, as this is a calm neighborhood, you know, family-oriented. And for this to happen where everybody’s getting gas,” resident Jennifer Carter said.
Another resident, Linwood Eady, reflected on the broader issue of gang violence in the area.
“Sorry to hear that. It’s come to that sort of state in my nice little town of Greenfield,” Eady said. “However, I also understand that the dynamics of society sometimes lead to having gangs, and gangs always lead to violence.”
Carter called for more investment in community programs aimed at steering people away from crime and gang involvement.
“I would like more to be done with the crime around here and the gang affiliation,” she said. “I feel like we need more programs and different outlets for people in this area to do other than crime.”
On social media, friends and community members have shared an outpouring of grief for Saavedra, with many describing her as a kind, well-loved member of the community.
Police are urging anyone who was at the gas station at the time of the shooting, or anyone with information about the case, to contact the Greenfield Police Department at (831) 385-8311.
Tips can be submitted anonymously, and police emphasized there is no ongoing threat to the public at this time.
