Alleged suspect arrested in shopping mall shooting from September; Watsonville Police

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION-TV) -- Watsonville Police announced Wednesday that they've solved an attempted murder case from September 8, 2024.

They said that a shooting at a shopping center on the 1700 block of Freedom Boulevard produced several spent shell casings that officers found in the parking lot.

According to police, there was no sign of a victim or a suspect at that time, but surveillance footage from the scene showed the suspected shooter approaching and confronting tow victims who were exiting a store.

They said that the victims could be seen on video running away and jumping into a nearby car.

The shooter was later identified as 19-year-old Pedro Taz Hernandez, and he opened fire as the car sped away, according to police. They said no one was injured during the shooting.

Earlier this month, detectives say that they served several search warrants but could not find Hernandez.

According to police, Hernandez later turned himself in, and they arrested a 17-year-old in connection to the case.

Hernandez faces multiple felony charges, including attempted murder, willful discharge of a firearm, shooting at a vehicle and assault with a firearm, according to police.