Police: Mission Street Homicide Has Gang Ties, Shot at Attackers

A gang-related fatal shooting on Mission Street that claimed a 31-year-old Watsonville remained under investigation Saturday evening but the area had reopened to the public, Santa Cruz police reported.

"We've been working around the clock," Deputy Police Chief Steve Clark said.

The name of the man killed had not been released and no arrests had been made by 6 p.m. Saturday.

The shootout was described as a "rolling gun battle" down Mission Street, the main thoroughfare on the Westside, around 10:45 p.m. Friday. Clark said it was fortunate no bystanders were struck by stray bullets, though rounds did hit the pavement, a psychic business and a gas pump.

"We're extremely lucky," Clark said. "Think of about how busy Mission Street is as at night. ... Bullets know no boundaries."

The exchange of gunfire ended in front of the Burger King restaurant, where the shooting victim crashed his car. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said his death was caused by bullet wounds, not the crash.

The man who died was armed with a gun and fired shots, Clark said. The deputy chief did not know how many rounds the victim shot or how many bullets the assailant fired, but said detectives were investigating.

Officers checked nearby hospitals for other victims of gunshot wounds Friday night but came up empty-handed. They are following up on other leads, including reviewing video footage from surveillance cameras at a nearby business that captured part of the chase. 

Clark said the victim was a gang member but declined to elaborate on his affiliation or criminal history.

Investigators kept several blocks of Mission Street closed until about noon Saturday to search for evidence and document the crime scene.

Detectives ask that anyone with information about the shooting call the crime tip line at (831) 420-5995 or use the police department's mobile iPhone and Android apps.