SALINAS – A man has been sentenced to life in prison for the double murder and assault of a young couple in Salinas three years ago, Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced Friday.
On Aug. 31, 2021, Mario Rodriguez, a Norteno criminal street gang member, shot and killed the two on E. Bernal Drive in Salinas. The evidence showed Rodriguez and several other Norteno gang members were in the area believing it to be rival Sureno criminal street gang territory where they might find an enemy to target; instead, Rodriguez and others recklessly targeted and killed a couple with no affiliation to the Sureno gang according to the DA. Rodriguez personally shot and killed both victims.
On March 17, 2024, while in custody, Rodriguez attacked several deputies in the Monterey County jail. The evidence showed Rodriguez and several other Norteno gang members attacked deputies as they tried to enforce rules prohibiting the possession of tattoo equipment in the facility. While others involved punched and kicked the deputies, Rodriguez seized one deputy’s baton, striking him with it multiple times.
Rodriguez pled guilty to two counts of murder and admitted personally discharging a firearm causing death with the intent to benefit the Norteno criminal street gang. He also pled guilty to two counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer. Judge Rafael Vazquez sentenced Rodriguez to 50 years to life in state prison.
These cases were investigated by Salinas Police Detective Alejandro Zamora and Monterey Sheriff’s Office Detectives Christian Zarate and Jesus Reyes.
