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.
William (Billy) Bowden pleaded guilty in a Winnipeg courtroom today to carrying a firearm in a careless manner in January 2007
William (Billy) Bowden, 33, pleaded guilty in a Winnipeg courtroom today to carrying a firearm in a careless manner in January 2007 and skipping out on his preliminary hearing about a year later. Other drug and weapons charges related to the 2007 incident were stayed as part of a plea bargain securing the two convictions. Bowden remains in custody though, charged with manslaughter in relation to the November 2007 killing of Jeff Engen, who was fatally stabbed at the Empire Cabaret, prompting the club to close. That charge remains before the courts. Bowden has been in custody since he was arrested Feb. 14 in Whistler, B.C., and returned to Manitoba. The Crown and defence jointly recommended that time be noted in his sentence for carrying the firearm. That crime occurred around 2:30 a.m. on Jan. 20, 2007, as Bowden was leaving the NV lounge in a truck with friend Ken Houston, court heard. Police discovered a Glock 9mm handgun loaded with 18 bullets in a pile of garbage close to where the...
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