Stay Bullet Entered Martial Arts Studio
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville Police Department is still trying to answer the question of who fired five shots into a vehicle Monday evening on East Lake Street in Watsonville. Their only clues are from witnesses who told police that a male in a black hooded sweatshirt fired the shots and left in a silver colored car.
On Monday September 14, a 6:07 pm, Watsonville Police Officers responded to the area of Alma Street and Nevada Street, by the Watsonville Elks Club, on a report of shots fired at a vehicle. The officers arrived on scene a short time later and located several witnesses. They told police that they saw a male wearing a black hooded sweatshirt fire approximately five shots into the vehicle, and then flee the scene in a getaway vehicle that had been parked on Alma Street. The target vehicle fled the scene heading down East Lake Street, and out of the area.
Police have a description of the targeted vehicle – a black small size SUV with tinted windows, with one possibly shattered due to the bullets. The suspect’s vehicle was described as being a silver sedan, possibly a Honda. Neither the vehicles nor their occupants were ever located.
Police have recovered one of the bullets used in the shooting, as one strayed off its intended path and found its way through an open door, just piercing a punching bag before lodging itself in a wall of a local martial arts studio. The shot traveled across the Elks Lodge parking lot, East Lake Avenue and the East Lake Shopping Center parking lot before reaching the building. At the time of the incident the Taekwondo Academy was filled with 20 students, and well as parents and staff.
Fortunately, no one was injured from the stray bullet entering the Taekwondo Academy. This is an active investigation, and anyone with information is encouraged to call the Watsonville Police Department at 831-471-1151.
