Press Release: Suspect Arrested in Murder of Adrian Puga

DATE/TIME: 03/14/25 at 10:00 AM

TYPE OF INCIDENT: Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Holds Press Conference to Announce Arrest of Juvenile Suspect in the Shooting Death of 18-year-old Adrian Puga during Prunedale Sideshow

LOCATION: Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, 1414 Natividad Road, Salinas, CA 93906

MEDIA CONTACT: Andres Rosas, Commander; Phone: 831-261-5492; Email: rosasae@countyofmonterey.gov

Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto held a press conference today to announce that a 17-year-old juvenile from Sacramento has been arrested for the murder of 18-year-old Adrian Puga of Salinas. Sheriff Nieto made the announcement before members of Adrian Puga’s family and members of the media that were present.

At about 10:25 PM on Saturday November 9th, 2024, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office and California Highway Patrol received multiple calls from the area of Prunedale Road South and Blackie Road for a report of a person that had been shot during a vehicle sideshow. Upon arrival, Monterey County Sheriff’s Deputies and CHP Officers located a single victim who had sustained gunshot injuries. The victim, identified as 18-year-old Adrian Puga of Salinas, was transported to a local hospital for treatment where he later died of his injuries.

Sheriff Nieto stated that Monterey County Sheriff detectives immediately began investigating this incident. Numerous tips, including videos of the incident were provided by members of the community. Detectives were able to determine that a sideshow event had taken place in the area and that it involved several persons of interest in the Sacramento area. Over 20 search warrants were served, to include some at locations in the Sacramento area. These search warrants led to the identity of the person responsible for Adrian Puga’s death.

On March 12th at about 2:30 PM, the Sacramento Police Department’s SWAT team assisted in arresting a 17-year-old male suspect. That juvenile has been extradited to Monterey County and has been booked into Juvenile Hall for one count of 187 PC, Murder.

Sheriff Nieto thanked Sheriff Jim Cooper and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, Chief Kathy Lester and the Sacramento Police Department, Chief Rick Hillman and the Folsom Police Department, Chief Robert Davis and the Elk Grove Police Department, Chief Probation Officer Jose Ramirez and the Monterey County Juvenile Probation Department as well as District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni and the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance throughout this investigation.

The press conference can be viewed in its entirety via Monterey County Social Media sites.