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Salinas Teen Shot Outside Home Is City's Third Homicide In Under Four Days

SALINAS (CBS SF) -- A 17-year-old boy was fatally shot in Salinas Wednesday afternoon, marking the city's third homicide in less than four days, police said.

They are withholding the victim's identity pending notification of next of kin.

Officers responded to a report of a shooting victim in the 1100 block of C Street around 12:50 p.m. and found the 17-year-old boy with gunshot wounds, police said.

The victim briefly spoke to officers at the scene, but his condition suddenly worsened and emergency crews transported him to Natividad Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, according to police.

A preliminary investigation showed the 17-year-old boy was talking to a friend outside a home where two men approached them, police said.

The men both took out handguns, then fired several rounds at the boy and his friend, according to police.

The suspects were last seen heading to Josephine Street and may have left in a waiting car, possibly a silver or white four-door sedan spotted heading north on the road, police said.

The suspects were described as Hispanic men in their early 20s in dark clothing, according to police.

No other injuries were reported, according to police.

The boy's death is the city's 21st homicide this year and the shooting is believed to be gang-related, police said.

Investigators haven't determined if today's fatal shooting was connected with two other homicides in the past four days, according to police.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call police Detective Derek Gibson at (831) 758-7442 or Detective Ken Schwener at (831) 758-7276. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call the police tip line at (831) 775-4222, WeTip line at (800) 782-7463 or send a text to 847411 with "SPD831" in the message.

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