Update: Car Linked to Freedom Blvd. Homicide Found

Update, 11:20 a.m.:  The car involved in the fatal drive-by shooting in Aptos on Wednesday evening was found in Watsonville, the Sheriff's Office reported.

Detectives continue to investigate the homicide, which claimed a 21-year-old county resident who had just left a family gathering to walk to a nearby business.

The man was shot multiple times, according to deputy April Skalland. His name has not been released.

The motive for the attack has not been determined, Skalland said.

"We don't know if it's random or if it's gang-related at this point," she said.

The 2004 four-door Honda believed to be involved in the shooting was found in Watsonville and impounded, according to the Sheriff's Office. Further details about the car and where it was located were not released.

The Sheriff's Office also has not announced any arrests in the shooting. The car had at least two people in it: the gunman and the driver.

"We're still looking for people because we think the public is at risk," Skalland said. "These people have guns."

Original report, 9 a.m.: Sheriff's detectives are reporting on the Freedom Boulevard overpass during rush hour Wednesday was a 21-year-old county resident, deputy April Skalland said Thursday morning.

The man and a friend had walked from a family gathering at a house in the Bonita Drive area and were heading across Highway 1 to a business around 6 p.m. As they crossed the highway on Freedom Boulevard a car drove past, made a U-turn and someone inside opened fire, Skalland said.

The man was struck by at least one bullet and collapsed. People tried to help him, including a nurse was passing by, and started CPR but the man died at the scene.

Law enforcement searched for the vehicle involved, a gray Honda sedan, and even made an automated call to homes in the area hoping for a lead.

“There were all kinds of witnesses around there, just based on the time of day," Skalland said.

The Register-Pajaronian newspaper reported that the car's license plate number was 6TUK193. It was reportedly being driven by a Hispanic male with a dark complexion wearing a blue hat and blue shirt driving with a passenger in his 20s.

After dark, sheriff's deputies could be seen searching the brush along the highway on and off-ramps for evidence.

The man's body was removed by the coroner around 10 p.m. An autopsy is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. today.

His name and the city that he lived in are still being withheld by investigators.

Another update on the investigation is expected around mid-day Thursday.

“They’ve been working all night on this case," Skalland said.

The homicide is the fifth in the county this year.