Donald Breeden, an 18-year-old from Greenfield, will not face criminal charges for the fatal shooting of two teenage boys in Moss Landing last week. The Monterey County district attorney announced this decision on Monday, stating that the available evidence is insufficient to prove the suspect did not act in self-defense.
Breeden was originally arrested on Thursday in connection with the incident that took place on November 2. The shooting resulted in the deaths of two boys from Salinas, identified as Nathaniel Flores, age 13, and Marco Antonio Perez, age 15. A third individual, a young adult from Greenfield, was also shot and injured during the confrontation.
District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni explained that the investigation determined the event began as a verbal argument at a beach party. Dozens of people attended the gathering, comprising mostly juveniles and adults from two distinct groups. One group was from Salinas, while the other was from Greenfield. Pacioni noted that members of the Norteño gang were also present at the location.
According to the district attorney, the dispute arose over alleged inappropriate behavior by the Salinas group. Witness statements corroborated claims of vandalism, theft, and threats of violence. Specifically, one witness identified a person from the Salinas group who allegedly stole necklaces from females at the party. Law enforcement later found gold necklaces in that individual's backpack.
The situation escalated when the verbal argument included gang insults and turned physical. Witnesses reported that individuals from both groups held their waistbands in a manner suggesting they were holding guns, or that they actually possessed firearms. The exact sequence of who fired first remains a point of contention among those present.
Pacioni stated that the evidence regarding the first shot is contradictory. Some witnesses claimed the Salinas group initiated the gunfire, while others asserted that the Greenfield group fired first. This ambiguity is central to the district attorney's decision not to file charges at this time.
Forensic analysis of the crime scene revealed 21 shell casings. These were determined to have been fired from two or more different firearms. Despite the extensive investigation, no guns have been recovered from the scene. The victims who were killed sustained seven and five gunshot wounds, respectively. The injured young adult from Greenfield was shot twice.
In her statement, Pacioni emphasized that after a thorough review, the district attorney concluded it was too difficult to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Breeden did not shoot out of self-defense. The decision reflects the complexity of the case and the conflicting testimonies gathered during the investigation.
The district attorney's office has confirmed that the investigation into the double homicide is ongoing. Although Breeden will not be charged at this time, the case remains open as officials continue to gather information and assess the evidence.
