UPDATE: Salinas double-homicide suspect on suicide watch at jail, deputies say

UPDATE 8/27/15 5:25 p.m.: The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office have identified Thursday’s double-homicide suspect as Sammuel Ejaz, 50, from Garden Grove, California.

Investigators said Ejaz followed his estranged wife from Southern California to Salinas and shot her and three of her family members. The aunt and uncle of Ejaz’s wife died and were identified are Felicidad, 51, and Oliver Legaspi, 64.

Ejaz’s arraignment was scheduled for Friday, but he was never transported to court, because he is on suicide watch at the Monterey County Jail, deputies confirmed. His new arraignment date is set for Monday at 1:30 p.m.

The DA’s office plans to charge Ejaz on two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder and one count of spousal abuse. Because this is a double homicide, it qualifies for special enhancements and could mean he faces life without parole or the death penalty, the DA’s office said.

Assistant DA Jeannine Pacioni was asked about Ejaz’s confession, not only to one of News Channel 5’s reporters, who caught it on video, but to police as well, and if that would effect his ability to enter a not guilty plea.

“Everyone is entitled to plead not guilty. They could be guilty as sin, and they still are entitled to enter that plea and require the prosecution to prove up the case,” Pacioni said. “So it’s not going to be held against him in that sense, but it will certainly be evidence in the trial or any type of proceeding we use.”

News Channel 5 learned Thursday that police said when Ejaz tracked down his estranged wife in Salinas, he approached the car she was in with her aunt, uncle and cousin and fired into the car, hitting all four of them.

Friday, Pacioni said Ejaz’s wife is in serious but stable condition and was able to talk to investigators. Her cousin, 28, is also expected to survive.

UPDATE 8/27/15 2:15 p.m.: A family dispute between an estranged couple from Southern California led to a shooting in Salinas Thursday morning, according to police.

Police said they don’t know if the shooting was pre-meditated, but the wife traveled to Salinas from Garden Grove to possibly get away from marital difficulties. Officers said the wife went with her 64-year-old uncle, 51-year-old aunt and their 28-year-old son, where he planned to take care of some business at the Social Security office.

Police said the suspect followed his estranged wife, found her in the parking lot, drove up right behind them and opened fire on the four people inside the car. During his arrest, he admitted to the crime, police said.

Officers said both the aunt and the uncle, residents of Salinas, were killed during the shooting. Officers said the wife is at the hospital in critical condition, and the 28-year-old victim has a lesser injury from a gunshot. Both are expected to survive.

Police said several officers responded to the scene three minutes after the first 911 call was received, where they noticed two people dead and two people who had been shot. They said witnesses played an instrumental role in identifying THE suspect as the shooter. Police said the suspect was cooperative and was arrested on scene. He is now being questioned by police and will be booked into the Monterey County Jail on at least two counts of murder.

Police said the shooting happened within 10 feet, and the suspect used a 9 mm caliber handgun which was recovered at the scene. They said witnesses cooperated in an extraordinary way, some even rendered aid to the victims at the scene.

At a 2 p.m. update on the investigation, Salinas police said the suspect and victims will not be named for now. Investigators said the suspect is employed by a healthcare provider in Southern California.

UPDATE 8/27/15 2:01 p.m.: Thursday’s shooting in a parking lot near the Social Security building in Salinas involved a family, according to police. Strangers found themselves caught up as it happened in a public parking lot. Police said two people were killed and two more are at the hospital in critical condition.

News Channel 5 asked investigators what people should do when they’re out and about, and there’s gunfire. It was a scary morning for witnesses, including a woman who said the suspected shooter spoke directly to her.

“He told me to call 911. But I was scared, because I saw the gun,” one woman said.

The woman said she talked with police and gave them valuable information as investigators try to piece together what happened.

“You’re going to want to make sure you’re safe. And then you’re going to want to be very vigilant of your surroundings to determine where that shooting is coming from and possibly get away from the shooting so you don’t become injured,” said Cmdr. Vincent Maiorana.

Police said if a shooting breaks out near someone, the most important thing is to protect themselves first.

“You know, you’re going to have to make a decision on whether you’re going to help somebody that’s in dire need of some medical aid, first aid. You know, making a call. Calling 911, being a good witness when officers arrive on scene is critical,” Maiorana said.

On Thursday, investigators said that’s exactly what witnesses did, one even giving first aid to a victim. They’re coming forward with what they know, streamlining the investigation so justice can be served.

“In turn, then makes the justice system work more smoothly when it goes to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution,” Maiorana said.

UPDATE 8/27/15 12:05 p.m.: Salinas police said the man they’re calling a suspect is related to the victims.

“We know that the suspect is related to the deceased and the victims of the shooting. It is related by either an ex-husband or marriage or soon to be estranged type of relationship,” Cmdr. Vince Maiorana said.

News Channel 5 was able to obtain an exclusive moment with the suspect as he said, “That woman, she dumped me. I did everything for her. Everything. I never wanted to do this. Never! Never wanted to do this.”

More information on this case will be made available at 2 p.m.

Suspect arrested by police after deadly shooting near Social Security building

UPDATE 8/27/15 9:50 a.m.: Two people are dead and two more were sent to the hospital in critical condition Thursday morning after a shooting near the Social Security office in Salinas, according to police.

Police believe they have the suspect in custody. They said the shooting in the parking lot outside the building may have happened after a domestic incident.

UPDATE 8/27/15 9:35 a.m.: California Highway Patrol officers said dispatchers received calls about a a shooting around 8:45 a.m. with multiple victims and an armed man.

Police said that man has since been arrested. Officers also said the victims knew the suspect.

The incident is being investigated at a business park on Blanco Circle near the Social Security office, within two blocks of CHP headquarters in Salinas.

UPDATE 8/27/15 9:10 a.m.: Salinas police confirm a man is in custody in connection to a shooting outside the Social Security office on Blanco Circle in Salinas.

Police have confirmed multiple people have been shot but haven’t been able to say how many.

UPDATE: Police confirm multiple people were shot outside the Social Security building on Blanco Circle in Salinas Thursday morning.

Crews are now on scene. NewsChannel 5 is also on scene and will update this story as more information becomes available.