Central Coast News KION/KCBAMan Found Dead At Salinas Apartment Complex, Police Shoot and Kill Dog

SALINAS, Calif- A man with a gunshot wound was found at an apartment complex on 300 block of Cross Ave Thursday night. Police say in order to get to the victim they had to tase his drunk relative and shoot and kill a pit bull.

Gunshots were reported at around 10:00 p.m. and when officers arrived at the apartment complex they saw the 38 year-old victim lying under the carport in a large pool of blood. Police say they could not get to the victim because a man and his pit bull were standing near the victim and would not let them get any closer.

Police say that the man would not listen to them, so they had to tase him. Police say that the dog started to go after one of the officers so they had to shoot and kill it.

According to police, the man, who they later found out was related to the victim, was intoxicated and did not appear to understand what was going on and had nothing to do with the shooting.

Witnesses reported seeing two males running from the area after the shooting. The suspects were described as males in their late teens to early twenties, dressed in black with hoods over their heads.

The victim died at the scene. His identity is not being released yet so that his family has time to notify relatives.

Anyone that may have witnessed the crime is asked to contact the Salinas Police Department Investigations Division at (831) 758-7226.  If you would like to remain anonymous, you can call the Salinas Police Department Anonymous Tip Line at 831-775-4222, or the We-Tip Line at 1-800-78-CRIME, or text information to the Text Tip Line with the code "SPD831" to "847411".