Crime & Safety

Update: Gun Violence Erupts Tuesday Night

Two shootings about a half-mile apart were reported in a span of just a few minutes.

Gunfire rocked two Watsonville neighborhoods on Tuesday night, incidents that detectives are probing to see if they may be connected.

No injuries were reported in the gun violence, which happened just before 10:30 p.m. on the north side of the city.

First, sheriff's deputies responded to a shooting on Hi Grade Lane and Green Valley Road, just outside of city limits near the Pajaro Valley Unified School District offices, according to Watsonville police.

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"There were two different groups out there," sheriff's deputy April Skalland said. "People called in and said shots were fired."

At least one car sped away from the area before deputies arrived. No injuries were reported.

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Deputies found two types of shell casings at the scene, meaning at least two separate guns were used, Skalland said. She said detectives believe the shooting was gang related.

Then, around 10:24 p.m., the sounds of shots fired and glass breaking were heard near Freedom Boulevard and Roache Road, about a half mile from the first shooting, police reported.

Watsonville police Sgt. Saul Gonzalez said witness reported hearing between two and six gunshots.

Two cars were seen speeding from the neighborhood following the second shooting, police reported. A gray Lincoln fled on Roache; the other vehicle—white or light gray—headed north on Freedom.


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