Stray bullet hits martial arts studio in Watsonville

It was a close call for kids in a martial arts class in Watsonville Monday night after a stray bullet went flying through the studios front door during a shooting. Police said the bullet was inches from hitting kids attending the class and the suspects are still on the loose. Kids at Watsonville Taekwondo Academy attend classes to learn how to defend themselves from an armed gunman. Monday night police said about 20 kids and staff inside the studio had a real-life situation on their hands.

“The door was open and went through the door lodged through a standing up punching bag and ended up locating it lodged in the wall,” said Watsonville Detective Elizabeth Sousa.

Thankfully no one was hurt physically but the shooting has a lot of people in shock. Kyle Viveros has been cutting hair next to the martial arts studio for six years and said nothing like this has ever happened before, at least not in this area.

“I’m really concerned because this is usually a really quite neighborhood we don’t have problems like that happen around here,” said Viveros.

Police said about six shots were fired near Alma and Nevada Street. Witnesses told police they saw a man in a black hoodie running from the scene towards a getaway car. The suspect shot at the victims vehicle, glass from the shattered window was left behind in the parking lot of the Elks Lodge.

Academy managers said they still can’t believe a stray bullet traveled that far through cross traffic and hit the building. Watsonville police said they don’t have reason to believe the shooting was gang related.

“Not at the moment but we do ask if anybody does have anything that they come forward and speak with us,” said Detective Sousa.

Viveros said he hopes someone comes forward to police.

“The guy who has the gun I hope they get him off the street because this guy whoever it is, is using the guns without thought. He’s just shooting anywhere, innocent people and hopefully if he hears this message he will think about it and everyone else who has a gun thinks about it before they use it,” said Viveros.

As for the Taekwondo Academy, they told News Channel 5 everyone is OK and they just want to move pass this. Police said they’re still looking for the suspects who drove off in a silver sedan near East Lake street near the Watsonville Taekwondo Academy.