KING CITY, Calif. -- An emotional interview with the family of a high school student shot in the head and killed in King City. Family members told Central Coast News the special needs student was gunned down trying to save his sister.
18-year old Matthew Torres moved to King City with his family about a year ago from Southern California.
Matthew's family said he was a fifth year student at King City High School taking special needs courses. Family members described him as a Honda car enthusiast who liked to hang out at the library and said he was well liked by everyone. "He was a very loving person. He had a big heart and that just proved that he thinks of others before he thought of himself. He had a lot of different friends, a lot of people we didn't even know. I tell you they were of all walks of life," said Sophia Teneyuque.
Matthew's cousin, Sophia said Matthew was accidentally targeted. Police said he had no record or gang affiliation.
The shooting happened late Friday night along Pearl Street. Officers said a black sedan pulled up and opened fire.
Neighbors said they watched police pull the victim from the alley where he was shot to the street where they tried to perform CPR. His sister "came running into the house covered in blood saying they shot Matthew they shot Matthew!" said Teneyuque.
Police said Matthew died a short time later at a local hospital after he was shot several times. Family is still trying to piece together how or why something like this would happen to someone like Matthew. "He's definitely a hero, and I'm kind of giggling thinking that he would like that. He'd probably laugh it off, but he would definitely live up to that," said Teneyuque.
King City police need your help tracking down the suspects who got away in a black sedan. If you have any information, call 831-385-4848.
A memorial fund has been set up for Matthew to help pay for funeral costs. The family told Central Coast News since they recently moved to the area they don't have enough money to bury their son. They plan on hosting a couple car washes to raise money for a memorial service.
If you'd like you help, donations are being accepted at the Chase Bank in King City in Matthew Torres' name.
