SANTA CRUZ — The man whose body was found riddled with bullets along the San Lorenzo River Monday night was identified Tuesday as 36-year-old Samuel Isaias Marroquin.
Marroquin was a Santa Cruz County resident with a “known drug history” and several contacts with police, Santa Cruz Police spokeswoman Joyce Blaschke said.
It is not clear whether Marroquin had gang ties.
The shooting was the first homicide of the year in Santa Cruz.
According to Blaschke, officers were flagged down in the area of the San Lorenzo River Levee and the Broadway Bridge for a report of a man down in the area at about 10:18 p.m.
They found Marroquin with several apparent gunshot wounds to his head and body. Officers attempted to render aid, and called Santa Cruz Fire Department paramedics to the area for further medical treatment, but Marroquin was pronounced dead at the scene.
It is unclear whether anyone heard the shots.
Officers canvassed the area and located several bullet casings, according to police.
The case is ongoing and a motive for the crime is still unclear. Santa Cruz Police are requesting anyone who may have witnessed or has any information about the crime to contact Detective Fincutter at 420-5943.
Anonymous tips can be sent to the police department through the Tip Line at 420-5995, or www.santacruzpolice.com.
