Man Charged With Shooting At Passing Cars, Deputies Say

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — An 18-year-old man was arrested Sunday afternoon in Live Oak after the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office received reports around 3:30 p.m. of a man firing a gun at passing cars near Soquel Drive and Winkle Avenue, deputies say.

No injuries were reported.

Anthony Martinez-Franco was last seen running into the Emerald Bay Apartments, witnesses said. Deputies arrived at the complex and found a man walking around who matched the witness description, the sheriff's office said.

Deputies say they found a loaded handgun in his backpack matching the casings found at the scene.

Martinez-Franco was booked on suspicion of charges related to firing a gun with gross negligence, carrying a loaded gun in a public place, possessing a gun with an altered identification, altering a gun's identification and carrying a concealed weapon while in a street gang, jail records show.

The sheriff's office, Santa Cruz Police Department, California Highway Patrol, Capitola Police Department and Harbor Patrol all aided in the search efforts.