One man died after he and a friend were attacked on Main Street on Saturday night and stabbed in what detectives say was a gang-motivated assault, Watsonville police reported.
No arrests have been made and police have said little about what led up to the violence.
The two men, both 21, had been together earlier in the evening and both were assaulted on the 500 block of Main Street. Just before 10 p.m., people called 911 for help because a man was down in the middle of the road at East Lake Avenue and Brennan Street, police reported.
The man had a stab wound to his upper abdomen, was unconscious and was barely breathing. He was taken to the Watsonville Community Hospital, but died from his injury, police reported.
His name has not been released pending notification of next of kin.
Another man was taken to the hospital with a stab wound to his lower torso. He underwent surgery and is listed in stable condition, police reported.
He is not cooperating with the investigation, police said.
The killing is the first homicide of the year in Watsonville. , six of which were gang-related.
In December, a 14-year-old Watsonville High student was fatally shot in a gravel turnout on Hecker Pass. Five young men have been arrested on suspicion of crimes related to the killing of Jesse Lopez. All have pleaded not guilty.
Following the violence Saturday, officers canvassed the crime scenes and talked to witnesses with help from the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office and the Santa Cruz County Gang Unit are assisted responded to assist.
Detectives ask that with further information regarding this case contact the WPD Investigation Division at (831) 768-3350 or the Crime Tip Line at (831) 768-3544.
