Release Date/Time: 1/4/2019 12:05 PM
Incident: Attempted Murder
Date: Friday, 1/4/2019
Time: 12:05 PM
Location: 300 Block of Chardonnay Drive
Officers responded to the 300 block of Chardonnay Drive to calls of gun shots and a victim of a shooting. The victim was being transported by private vehicle to NMC for treatment. Officers responded to both NMC and the crime scene on Chardonnay Drive. Officers contacted a 25-year-old man at NMC with a single gunshot wound to his chest. The victim was uncooperative and would provide little to help identify who had shot him and why. Officers also received a call from SVMH regarding another victim of a shooting at the emergency room. Investigating officers contacted 21-year-old John Walther at SVMH who had multiple bullet wounds to his upper body. The investigation and evidence at the scene revealed Walther was involved in the shooting.
Additionally, officers responding to the shooting on Chardonnay stopped Miguel Medina (21), a parolee who was in the area. Medina had blood on his sweatshirt and further evidence revealed Medina was also involved in the shooting.
Investigators believed an exchange of gunfire took place between two groups on the 300 block of Chardonnay Drive resulting in the shooting of the 25-year-old victim, and 21-year-old John Walther.
John Walther's wounds were not life threatening and he was released from the hospital and ultimately booked into County Jail for his part in the shooting. Medina was also booked into County Jail for his role in the shooting.
The case is still under investigation and is being investigated as gang related. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Salinas Police Department at (831)758-7321. If you would like to remain anonymous, you can call the Salinas Police Department Tip Line at (831)775-4222, or the We-Tip Line at 1-800-78-CRIME.
Release Authorized by:Cmdr. John C. Murray
Telephone: (831) 758-7350