Suspected shooter arrested for murder of 15-year-old in Watsonville
WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION-TV)- Feb. 18, 2023, at 5:04 p.m.- The Watsonville Police Department said a 16-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection to the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old on Saturday.
Police say the suspect and the victim had problems in the past, which led to a confrontation the night of the shooting. The victim, identified as Daniel by friends and family, tried leaving in a car with some friends, and that's when the suspected shooter began firing, said police.
The suspect shot and struck the vehicle multiple times, forcing the car's driver to crash into a building, said police. Daniel was taken to the hospital and later passed of his injuries.
At 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, detectives tracked the suspect down to unincorporated Santa Cruz County and took him into custody.
The 16-year-old was booked into Juvenile Hall on murder charges.
Family identifies 15-year-old shot and killed in Watsonville
One victim is dead after a shooting took place on Rodriguez and Main Street on Saturday night, according to Watsonville Police.
Officers responded to the area of Rodriguez Street for reports of shots fired around 6:04 p.m.
When officers got to the scene, they found one victim who was suffering from at least one gunshot wound. The victim was taken to the hospital, but later died from their injuries.
Family identified the victim as Daniel Rocha Jaramillo, a Freshman who had just turned 15 in January. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office confirmed a 15-year-old male was the victim in the deadly shooting but said they could not release his name because he was a minor.
"My friend was very, very, very happy! He was always around people making him smile and stuff," said a friend who wished to remain anonymous. "He would go up to my car, handshake everyone, and be the life of the party."
There is no suspect information at this time, and police are continuing their investigation. Law officials would not confirm if this crime was gang-related.
"It's really traumatizing to have to see, continuously have to see the blood of your loves ones," said a resident of the neighborhood, Celeste Gutierrez.
If anyone has any additional information about this shooting, you are asked to contact Watsonville Police at 831-471-1151.
