Watsonville records 10th homicide just before a peace vigil
Investigators believe the fatal shooting Sunday afternoon started as a road rage incident. Police say witnesses in the area reported seeing the the victim’s car and the possible suspect car prior to the shooting scene, blocks away.
Detectives are still reviewing surveillance video from across the street.
The shooting in Watsonville happened just two hours before a vigil was planned to focus on bringing peace to the city.
Just after 2 P.M. Sunday Watsonville police responded to the call of a person shot on Maple and Marchant streets. Officers believe it was gang related.
Lieutenant Saul Gonzalez of Watsonville police said,
“When officers arrived they found an 18-year-old male victim slumped over the seat of his vehicle with a gun shot wound to the head area.”
The victim was rushed to a bay area trauma center where he was put on life support but was pronounced dead late Sunday night.
A 14-year-old was also in the car but was not hit.
Watsonville Police believe there are multiple suspects involved and some witnesses say a gray Toyota Tacoma may have been involved.
Just hours after the shooting off Maple St., a peace vigil took place at Callahan park in Watsonville to bring attention to violence in the city.
“Its unfortunate that we continue to see this level of violence here in our community and in our city and so the urgency of coming together seemed that much more significant,” said Councilmember Karina Cervantez.
Dozens of people came to Callahan Park, the scene of the city’s 9th homicide. People held candles and posters reading, “Let peace begin with me.”
Rosa De Ramirez lost her son in Watsonville 20 years ago. She said not a day goes by where she doesn’t think about him and she wants the violence to stop, “I’ve been doing all these marches since my son died and I just want people to know that this violence should be stopped but we as a community we have to try our best to do this,” said De Ramirez.
The shooting investigation is ongoing and Watsonville police are asking any witnesses to come forward.
