Arrests Made in Gang Slaying

Four young men from have been arrested in connection with , the Sheriff's Office reported Wednesday morning.

The suspects, all from Watsonville, were arrested the same night Jesse Lopez, 14, was killed on Hecker Pass. Santa Cruz police picked them up for shouting gang slurs and throwing gang signs at a convenience store near downtown Santa Cruz, according to the Sheriff's Office.

David Moreno Sanchez, 19, and Alejandro Alexis Rodriguez, 18, were arrested on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and gang participation. Juan Soto Gonzalez, 22, and Carlos Valencia, 20, were jailed on suspicion of being accessories to the crime and gang participation, according to the the Sheriff's Office.

At the convenience store, on Chestnut and Laurel streets in Santa Cruz, the four were "throwing" challenging gang signs at other people, detectives reported. They were a dark purple 1998 Honda Accord. 

That was around 9:35 p.m. Saturday. Earlier, about 8:15 p.m., sheriff's deputies responded to a shooting on Highway 152 near Mount Madonna. Jesse Lopez, 14, had been shot multiple times and his friend, also 14, had been hit once, according to the Sheriff's Office.

The teens had ridden up the mountain with new acquaintances. The car they were in pulled into a dirt turnout about four miles outside of Watsonville, a second car stopped also and "hostile gunfire" was directed at Jesse and his friend, according to Lt. Fred Plagemen of the Sheriff's Office. The people in the second car knew the teens' new acquaintances, but were strangers to Jesse and his friend.

Both cars sped off when the gunfire ceased, leaving Jesse bleeding in the gravel. His friend ran into the brush to hide until emergency responders arrived, but motorists stopped to help the mortally injured teen.

Jesse, a Watsonville High freshman, later died at Watsonville Community Hospital. His friend was treated and released.

Detectives didn't disclose how the four young men were tied to Lopez's death, but said they were booked on the new charges Tuesday. Plageman said he would release more information about the investigation Wednesday afternoon.

 Of the six, his killing is the only one investigators have made arrests in.

Sanchez listed his profession as laborer when he was booked into County Jail. Rodriguez is a student. Soto and Valencia also are laborers, jail records stated.

They were arrested at 602 Laurel St. in Santa Cruz, the same 7-Eleven where Santa Cruz High student Tyler Tenorio, 16, was fatally stabbed in a gang fight two years ago.