SANTA CRUZ — The Santa Cruz Police Department is investigating a spate of shootings that have occurred in the city since July 21.
The incidents have prompted SCPD to deploy multiple gang suppression operations, and to collaborate with the Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime and Gang Task Force, the department said Thursday in a media release.
Investigators have located two people of interest in the cases. On Aug. 12, members of the SCPD Emergency Services Unit served two search warrants in Santa Cruz and San Jose, where detectives recovered a firearm from each location. It is unclear whether the guns are associated to any of the shootings.
On Aug. 14, about 4:30 p.m. Santa Cruz Police Officers arrested 19-year-old Cesar Corcoles for multiple weapons possession violations with criminal street gang enhancement. They also arrested a juvenile male subject for an outstanding felony warrant, probation violation and possession of a loaded firearm.
“The Santa Cruz Police Department will continue to collaborate with allied agencies in an effort to curb this rash of gun violence within the community,” the press release read.
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The most recent shooting occurred Tuesday on the 800 block of Pacific Avenue.
According to SCPD Sgt. Gregg Crofts, officers responded to a report of shots fired about 11:20 p.m. Everyone involved had fled, but officers located evidence and interviewed witnesses, police said.
Officers soon found an adult male victim suffering from a single gunshot wound outside the downtown area. He was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
No arrests have been made. Investigators are reviewing video evidence.
The shooting follows several others.
Around 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 6, police received multiple calls of shots fired on the 200 block of Grant Street near Grant Park and Berry Street. They found several shell casings but no suspects. No injuries were reported.
On Aug. 3, an adult male victim suffering from a single gunshot wound arrived at the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. He was reportedly shot on the 700 block of Chestnut Street just after midnight.
Investigators believe the shooting occurred during an exchange of gunfire between two people or groups.
On July 31 at about 4 p.m. Santa Cruz Police Officers responded to a report of shots fired at the Santa Cruz Metro located in the 900 block of Pacific Ave. Involved parties had fled the scene, however the gun believed to have been used in the shooting was recovered at the scene as well as evidence associated to the suspect. Multiple witnesses were interviewed and video evidence was reviewed. A victim was located and the suspect remains outstanding.
On July 21 at about 4:30 p.m. officers responded to a report of multiple gunshots in the 300 block of Barson Street. Upon arrival, officers located evidence that a shooting had occurred and processed the crime scene. No victims were located.
Anyone with information about any of the incidents is asked to call the SCPD Investigations main phone line at 420-5820. Anonymous tips can be left at 420-5995.
