SALINAS- In what Salinas police have dubbed as a random act of violence against a 61-year-old man who was shot and killed as he was walking to his car Sunday morning, neighbors are worried about becoming the next target.
On the 100 block of Casentini Street, one neighbor is even thinking about moving following the murder of Artemio Garcia, a father looking ahead to retirement in two years, according to family members.
"What did we do? I don't do anything negative. I'm not involved in gangs. But, I could be a victim," said Analisa Arellano, who lives in an apartment near where the murder happened.
Police do not have any leads or suspects in the case. On Tuesday, two days after the murder, Salinas police went door to door passing out a flyer with Garcia's picture and information. They said they are hoping anyone who might have any possible clue will come forward.
A big concern for neighbors like Arellano, is that this wasn't a shoot-out between gang members, but of an innocent man. Officers said they know the random killing shattered a sense of security along Casentini Street.
"When somebody leaves their house just to go to work, they don't expect to be a victim of crime. Especially a violent crime," said Sgt. Chris Lane.
Garcia's daughter is Erandi Garcia, a promient local news anchor at the Univison station.
On Tuesday, she spoke on camera to Central Coast News about the loss. She said, as a journalist, she's used to reporting on crime stories, but not being a part of them.
She said the expression "at the wrong place at the wrong time" gets thrown around a lot on the news, but it doesn't seem right to use that term in the case of her father.
"He was about to get in his car, he was going to work. Is that what you call being in the wrong time, at the wrong place? It doesn't only happen to the bad guys, or the gangsters or to young kids. I mean, come on, it's my dad," said Erandi Garcia.
Garcia is urging anyone with information about the murder to call police.
The number to call if you know anything is 1-800-78-CRIME.
