Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s investigating Wednesday shooting
SOQUEL, Calif. (KION) A shooting in Santa Cruz County has left one man in the hospital Wednesday evening.
Authorities say it happened on Soquel Drive late in the afternoon, and investigators were seen combing through the crime scene looking for evidence into the night.
It all started just after 4 p.m.
"Heard gunshots and people started moving toward it, and I said hey stay down, don't go sticking your head out there. And I came around the building and looked to make sure it was clear and I saw the individual who was wounded laying on the ground over there right across the street," said Eric, who says he helped treat the shooting victim.
Eric, who did not want his face shown on camera, searched around and grabbed something to cover the victim, he says to prevent shock. He then says he ran across the street toward the wounded man and started applying first aid.
"He had one wound to the… looked to be the femur area, right where the leg connects to the torso. So no tourniquet could be applied, it was only pressure," said Eric.
To stop the victim from losing any more blood, Eric did the only thing he could do next.
"I couldn't get his belt off, so I had to stick my hand down in there and stuck my thumb in the hole and applied pressure," he said.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office is still investigating the shooting, closing down thru traffic for a few hours. They did confirm one person was taken to an out-of-county hospital and that the man was shot while on the sidewalk.
Eric says lately, it seems like the area has seen more violence. He is concerned about potential collateral damage.
"Four rounds were fired over here, and only one hit their target. So where did the other three go?" he said.
Eric says he was able to jump in and help save the victim because of his combat medical training from Norcal Medtac in Scotts Valley. It is valuable knowledge, he says, now more than ever.
"With today's climate, it's probably a good idea that everybody have some kind of First Aid training that's simple and works, you don't have to think about it," said Eric.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office says the investigation is ongoing and they could not provide any more details for now. If you have any information about the shooting, you are encouraged to contact law enforcement.
PREVIOUS ARTICLE: The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office said it is investigating a shooting that happened on Soquel Drive.
The road is closed between Chanticleer Avenue and Winkle Avenue while the investigation continues.
The Sheriff's Office said one person is being taken to an out-of-county hospital.
Lt. Greg Lansdowne with the Sheriff's Office said a man was shot while on the sidewalk, but could not provide any other information.
