Update: Man shot and killed in drive-by shooting on Freedom Boulevard; suspect vehicle found

Sheriff's deputies comb the crime scene on Freedom Boulevard Wednesday evening, in front of the victim. In the second photo, relatives of the victim console each other near the crime scene. (Photos by Tom Dunlap and Tarmo Hannula/Register-Pajaronian)

APTOS — A 21-year-old man was shot and killed Wednesday evening in a drive-by shooting that occurred on the Freedom Boulevard overpass at Highway 1.

On Thursday, the vehicle believed to be involved in the shooting, a 2004 four-door Honda, was located in Watsonville and has been impounded, according to Sheriff's Deputy April Skalland. Detectives are determining if the homicide is gang-related.

A medical exam of the victim is scheduled for this afternoon. More details to follow.

Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Sgt. Robin Mitchell said the 21-year-old was shot “multiple times” in what appeared to be a drive-by shooting.

“The victim was walking with a friend home from a family gathering in the area,” Mitchell said. “Right now we are treating this as though it were a random shooting; we’re unsure if it is gang-related. We do not know of a motive.”

Mitchell said deputies did locate several shell casings on the road near where the victim collapsed. His name has not yet been released.

The shooting occurred less than a mile from Aptos High School where numerous students walk every day to and from school. It was also just blocks from the California Highway Patrol office.

Bystanders tried to perform CPR on the victim, an officer said. Paramedics then arrived and continued the CPR, but the man died, according to the officer.

The suspect car was reportedly being driven by a Hispanic male with a dark complexion wearing a blue hat and blue shirt driving with a passenger. Both are described as Hispanic males between 18-25.

The dispatcher also said that a .22-caliber gun was used in the shooting.

Several people who said they were family members of the victim huddled and comforted each other just outside the yellow police tape.

Sheriff’s deputies escorted several reported family members of the victim, or of others involved in the incident, to the crime scene and had long conversations with them starting at 6:45 p.m. One ashen-faced woman who may be related to the victim or another involved person did not want to talk to the press and left quickly in her van, parked just outside the police tape.

Sean Simko said he walks over the Freedom overcrossing almost every day.

“I live right down the street,” he said. “This is the way I always come home. My parents live right over the hill. This is a very quiet neighborhood. It’s freaky to come here now and there’s a body lying there. It’s scary. What’s going on? I mean, some guy is shot. I lost my wife to cancer six years ago and let me tell you. I’ve learned to appreciate every minute of life. This is just a shame. It’s horrible.”

The overpass was closed for hours. No suspects have been located.



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