WATSONVILLE—A teenager was arrested Thursday in the shooting death of a 19-year-old man Sept. 4 on Sudden Street.
Michelle Pulido, spokeswoman for Watsonville Police, said detectives worked through the week and were able to identify a 15-year-old male suspect connected to the fatal shooting.
On Thursday officers tracked down the suspect to Waters Alley, between Jefferson and Sudden streets, less than a block from where Adrian Ayala was shot multiple times. As officers attempted to arrest him, the suspect tossed a gun behind some garbage cans. A swarm of police, many with their guns out, captured the suspect and located the gun.
The suspect has ties to a local gang and is currently facing several charges, including murder, possession of a firearm, gang enhancements, and probation violation, according to police. He was booked into Juvenile Hall.
“We would like to thank the Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team (SCCACT) and the Santa Cruz County Auto Theft Reduction and Enforcement Task Force (SCARE) for working with us on making this arrest,” WPD said in a press release.
