Three arrested in Drive-by shooting on busy Central Coast Highway

Freedom Bl at Highway 1, where the shooting took place

APTOS—Authorities arrested three in drive-by shooting in Aptos that resulted in the death of a Live Oak man.  The incident occurred around 6:08 p.m. on May 30th near the overpass at Freedom Boulevard and Highway 1 in Santa Cruz County.

Arrested and charged with murder were driver Alfredo Alanis Garcia, 21 of Prunedale, Christopher Herrera, 21 of Prunedale and Rafael Barron, 20, of Las Lomas.  All three suspects face charges of Homicide with gang enhancements.

The three suspects were in the Aptos area reportedly smoking marijuana in Garcia’s vehicle, a gray Honda, when they came across Fernando Mendoza-Avila, 21, of Live Oak and a friend walking on Freedom Blvd.   As the vehicle drove past, one of the suspects fired multiple rounds from a handgun, mortally wounding Mendoza-Avila, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

“The suspects perceived Mendoza-Avila as being a member of a gang.” Santa Cruz County Deputy April Skalland said.

The vehicle fled the scene down Freedom Boulevard toward Watsonville.  Garcia, who owed the grey Honda the suspects were riding in, was arrested that evening.  The other suspects were arrested a day after when authorities spotted Herrera and Barron getting into a gray Pontiac in Freedom.  Deputies took both into custody without incident.

Alfredo Alanis Garcia, 21,Christopher Herrera, 21, and Rafael Barron, 20

Investigators have not located the murder weapon at this time, but the investigation is continuing.  “We have not found the weapon as of yet, but an autopsy has been done and the caliber is known but we are not releasing that information.” Deputy Skalland said.

This case is still under investigation and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff department is asking that witnesses or persons with information about the crime should contact the Investigation Division at (831) 454-2311 or Sheriff Dispatch 24-hour number (831) 471 1121 and refer to case No. 12-04596.

Read More:

Mercury News: Arraignment postponed for Prunedale man charged in Aptos homicide

KSBW.com: 3 arrested in Aptos homicide; slaying not gang-motivated

Santa  Cruz Sentinel: Prunedale man arrested in Aptos fatal shooting appears court