Two people are shot dead and two injured at a California beach party AFTER HOURS as police hunt a motive

A shooting at Moss Landing State Beach in Monterey County shortly after midnight left two people dead and two others wounded, with all four victims discovered on Jetty Road suffering gunshot wounds to the chest. Police have yet to name any of the victims, identify a suspect, or determine a motive, and have not ruled out the possibility that the shooter remains at large. A second nearby location showing signs of a gathering has also been secured by investigators, with empty bottles and red plastic cups among the debris left from the Halloween weekend.

Sheriff Tina M. Nieto called it 'a tragic incident that has resulted in the loss of two lives' and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

Chief Park Ranger Mike Dippel confirmed the victims had been trespassing — the beach closes at sunset and 'these people were here after hours.'

The shooting has not yet been formally classified as homicide while investigators work to establish the full circumstances.