Victim Was Pronounced Dead At The Scene
WATSONVILLE—Investigators with the Watsonville Police Department arrested a 16-year-old teenager on Monday in connection with a stabbing death of 51-year-old Lorenzo Colimote Avalos on Sunday Evening.
On Sunday evening, at 6:36 p.m., Officers with the Watsonville Police Department responded to the dead end at Marchant Street near the Pajaro River Levee on a report of a male victim of a fight lying on the ground.
As officers arrived they received word that the victim had been stabbed. The Victim, Avalos, was found on the levee of the river. Despite the efforts of American Medical Response and Watsonville Fire Department, Avalos died from the severity of his injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
An investigation revealed numerous witnesses to the crime. Investigators learned that two juveniles had an altercation with Avalos and were seen walking towards the River.
Investigators made a positive identification of one of the suspects as several witnesses put him at the scene. Early the next morning, at 1:50 a.m., police paid the teen at visit at his residence.
Marchant and Dawson near the dead end and levee.
They were able to take the 16-year-old teen into custody without incident. Police are still on the lookout for his accomplice. The suspect was booked into Santa Cruz County Juvenile Hall on charges of homicide. Due to the nature of the crime, he will be charged as an adult. As a result, his name was released as Jose Guzman.
“The motive for this crime was robbery,” Watsonville Police Detective Charles Bailey said, “Numerous witnesses and victims had stated that the two boys accosted them as well before the stabbing occurred.”
This case is being investigated as gang related. The Watsonville Police Department is asking if anyone has information about this case to call them at 1-831-471-1151.
