Yes, We Did It: Trio Pleads Guilty To Drive-By Shooting Of Teen In Santa Cruz County

Three defendants have pleaded guilty to their involvement in a 2013 shooting in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County District Attorney Jeff Rosell announced Friday.

The defendants pleaded guilty June 10 to the Aug. 10, 2013 drive-by shooting of a 15-year-old rival gang member.

Isaac Saavedra will be sentenced to 19 years and eight months in prison, and Marcos Nunez and Julio Nunez will be sentenced to 25 years in prison, prosecutors said.

The defendants, who are documented Landis Street Norteno gang members from Watsonville, drove to Santa Cruz with the intent of shooting a rival gang member, prosecutors said.

Saavedra was the driver of the vehicle, and Marcos and Julio Nunez shot at the victim, prosecutors said. The 15-year-old victim, a Sureno associate, was shot as he and his friend were walking along Murray Street near the intersection of Seabright Avenue in Santa Cruz.

The defendants then led California Highway Patrol officers on a high-speed chase that ended in the Aptos area. The three defendants also admitted to firearm and gang-related enhancements to the attempted murder, prosecutors said.

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