UPDATE Man Shot at Party on New Year's Eve

The 24-year-old Watsonville man who was shot in the torso during a New Year's Eve house party late Saturday, will likely survive the life-threatening gunshot wounds.

"As far as we know he will survive," said Sgt. Burt Isles of the Watsonville Police Department.

Lieutenant David McCartney confirmed that the victim is still in critical condition, but that he is stable and expected to survive. The victim suffered two gunshot wounds, according to Lt. McCartney.

Watsonville police were dispatched to the report of a victim with a gunshot wound at 11:57 p.m., according to Master Officer Ed Barrett. An unknown suspect had pulled out a handgun and shot the victim before fleeing by vehicle.

When officers arrived, they found the victim in front of a house on Southern Circle—close to —with several gunshots to his upper torso. Police were unable to say how many gunshot wounds were inflicted.

The victim was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, and then airlifted to a Bay Area trauma center for life-threatening wounds, according to Barrett.

The investigation is continuing and it does not appear to be gang-related at this time, according to Lt. McCartney.

"It doesnt appear to be gang related at this point. But we're still working on the motive because there doesn't appear have been an argument, and there's no prior history between the victim and suspect so we dont know what the exact motive is at this time," said Lt. McCartney.

Names have not yet been released. Please check back for updates.

Watsonville Police Detectives are “continually working on the case,” said Barrett, and will release further information when it becomes available. In the meantime, officers are encouraging anyone with information to contact the WPD Investigation Division at (831) 768-3350 or the Crime Tip Line at (831) 768-3544.