Each victim was either connected to the Nortenos gang or its rival, the Surenos.

Salinas police are battling a recent spate of violence that's killed at least five people in separate incidents over three days. Investigators suspect all of the shootings are gang-related. Sgt. Chris Lane says each victim was either connected to the Nortenos gang or its rival, the Surenos. Among those killed are two Alisal High School students, including a 15-year-old boy who was fatally shot behind the school Monday. No arrests have been made in the five slayings. Police say gang violence is an ongoing problem in the city. Gangs were blamed for 23 of the 25 homicides in Salinas last year, which broke the previous record high of 24 killings in 1994. In October, authorities launched an anti-gang effort called Operation Impact that involves the Monterey County Sheriff's Office and California Highway Patrol.

Posted in: Nortenos gang,Surenos.