Suspect Arrested In Watsonville Shooting

WATSONVILLE, CA — Detectives with the Watsonville Police Department are investigating a shooting that sent three people, including the suspect, to the hospital Monday. When officers arrived in the 600 block of Rodriguez Street shortly after 7 p.m., they found three people with gunshot wounds inside an apartment—the suspect, a 46-year-old man, and a teen girl, according to WPD.

Police identified Manuel Adrian Perez, 22, as the registered owner of the gun. He has since been released from the hospital and was booked into county jail early Tuesday on suspicion of attempted murder, police said.

The shooting followed a dispute that occurred earlier Monday. According to police, Perez and the male victim live on the second story of the Rodriguez Street home. The building has been converted into multiple living spaces, and "their front doors are about 4 feet apart," police said.

Perez was upset by an interaction the man had with one of Perez’ family members earlier in the day, according to police. Armed with a handgun, Perez knocked on the victim’s door Monday night, which prompted an argument and struggle over the gun. During the tussle, the gun went off and injured Perez, the man, and a teen girl, according to police.

The male victim has since been released from the hospital; the teen girl is awaiting surgery but is expected to be okay, police confirmed.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the WPD at (831) 471-1151.