Crime & Safety

Detective: 'Optimistic' that Birthday Party Slaying Will Be Solved

The Sheriff's Office will work through the weekend to narrow in on the gang members who gunned down a Soquel teen outside a Watsonville party a week ago.

Almost a week after two suspected gang members shot Luis Duran at close range, killing the 19-year-old Soquel man, a lead detective in the Sheriff's Office said investigators are "slowly narrowing down the suspect pool."

However, no arrest has been made, Sgt. Ian Patrick said Friday.

"We're optimistic that it will happen," he added.

Find out what's happening in Watsonvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Duran was leaving a party on Manfre Road, north of the Watsonville Municipal Airport, late on July 8 when two men walked up to him and . Duran died in the gravel on the side of the road.

Deputies have been working with the county's Gang Task Force and Watsonville police to home in on suspects. Wednesday, , so they can identify everyone who was at the event.

Find out what's happening in Watsonvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

It was an 18th birthday party for a young woman. The party broke up around midnight. That's when Duran was shot.

Patrick said detectives are getting mixed information as to whether the gunman and his accomplice had been at the party, which featured a DJ and involved underage drinking.

Detectives are working through the weekend on the investigation.

"Every available resource is still being dedicated to investigating this case," Patrick said. "We believe we're on the right track."

The homicide is the fifth in Santa Cruz County this year. Three others occurred in Watsonville, including two that were gang-related.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.