Mario Daniel Hernandez, victim
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville Police have arrested 16-year-old juvenile for murder after a 13-hour investigation that led them to the teen in a Sunday night incident that left 19-year-old Mario Daniel Hernandez dead.
On Sunday, November 22 at 10:40 pm. the Watsonville Police Department was dispatched to the 200 block of Clifford Avenue in Watsonville on a report of shots being fired. As they were responding, dispatch started getting calls of a victim on the same street.
When officers arrived they found 19-year-old Mario Daniel Hernandez of Watsonville suffering gunshot wounds to his upper torso. He was immediately transported by ambulance to the Watsonville Community Hospital where he passed away from his injuries.
Detectives were called to the scene to begin an investigation. Detectives worked around the clock, and at 11:30 am on Monday they had arrested a 16-year-old juvenile for Hernandez’s murder. The suspect was arrested without incident on the 2400 block of Freedom Blvd.
The Watsonville Police Department detectives at this time do not have a motive for the shooting. They are investigating this incident in conjunction with the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office. This incident does not appear to be related to the previous homicide, in which Damian Baxter is still a person of interest.
The Watsonville Police Department is asking if anyone has information regarding this incident to call them at 831-471-1151, or the anonymous crime tip-tip line at 768-3544.
