Man Killed at Party In Possible Gang Retaliation

A 20-year-old man was killed at a house party Saturday night. Watsonville police said they suspected the slaying was payback for a stabbing that happened earlier in the day.  

No arrests have been made.

The fatal shooting happened in an apartment at 222 Clifford Ave. Police got a call about gunshots at 10:38 p.m. When they got to the party, officers detained several party-goers, according to police.

A few minutes later, police got another call—this one from Watsonville Community Hospital reporting that a man with multiple gunshot wounds had just arrived at the emergency room, police reported.

He was pronounced dead at the hospital a few hours later, police said. The victim's identity has not been released.

Sgt. Saul Gonzalez said detectives have little information about the shooter. Three males were seen fleeing the scene on foot, but no further suspect descriptions were available. The people detained at the party were not suspects, he added.

Police said they believe the shooting was retaliation for that happened just before 1 a.m. Saturday in a trailer park at 501 S. Green Valley Rd. A 17-year-old boy was stabbed several times in that attack but is expected to recover.

Saturday night's slaying is the second homicide in Watsonville this year. on Pennsylvania Drive near Hammer Drive early on Jan. 2. Police suspect that attack also was gang-motivated; no arrests have been made.