One Victim Shot In Attempted Murder Thursday Night In Watsonville

Officers responded to a shooting that left one victim injured in Watsonville Thursday night, according to Watsonville police.

Officers were first notified of a shooting at Sunset State Beach at 9:14 p.m. before determining that the actual shooting took place in Watsonville at the intersection of Ohlone Parkway and West Beach Street, police said.

Responding officers found a 29-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the right shoulder, according to police.

Police say the victim and several acquaintances were followed from the area of Main Street and Green Valley Road to the intersection of Ohlone Parkway and West Beach Street, where a confrontation occurred before the shooting.

As the victim’s vehicle approached West Beach Street from Ohlone Parkway, an occupant in the suspect vehicle began shooting. Several rounds hit the victim’s vehicle while one round struck the victim himself, police said.

The suspect vehicle is described as a light-colored Honda Accord with four subjects in it. It was last seen southbound on Lee Road, headed towards state Highway 1.

This event is believed to be gang motivated, police said.

The victim’s wounds are not life threatening, according to police.

Evidence was found near the location of the shooting while the victim’s car was impounded in order to retrieve more evidence that might be useful to the investigation, police said.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is encouraged to call the Watsonville Police Department at (831) 471-1151, the anonymous tip line at (831) 768-3544, or the Watsonville Police Department Investigations Bureau at (831) 768-3352.