LIVE OAK — A 26-year-old man was shot and killed late Sunday night near his apartment in the Emerald Bay Apartments.
Lt. Jim Ross of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were dispatched to a report of a shooting just past 10 p.m. on the 2500 block of Soquel Drive. They found the victim, identified as Ivan Uriel Villalobos, unresponsive and suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite all medical efforts, the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene, Ross said.
One witness, according to radio reports from 9-1-1, claimed to have heard two shots.
Deputies were aided by the California Highway Patrol in closing off Soquel Drive in the area to allow for investigators to comb the area for evidence.
On Monday, deputies returned to the crime scene to complete their investigation. The victim was gunned down on a flight of steps at the community room of the vast apartment complex. The plate of food he was eating from at the time was spilled across the steps next to chalk marks left by investigators that outlined where the victim’s body fell.
Steve Gallegos, who said he has lived at the complex for the past eight years, said he knew the victim.
“I heard all the cops and the ambulance arrive,” Gallegos said. “I rushed outside because I was worried about my son being out there. He (the victim) was a nice guy. He wasn’t a gang member and he never wore colors. He was a pretty boy who always dressed real nicely. He literally grew up with my boy. It’s sickening that this happened. Something needs to be done.”
No suspect information has been released.
On Monday morning residents at the complex left flowers and votive candles at the murder scene. Emerald Bay has had several violent attacks in and around the complex over the years, many of them gang-related.
Sheriff’s Office detectives are actively investigating this case. Anyone with information is asked to call Sgt. Dee Baldwin at 454-7635.
