Anthony Hernandez (L) and Patrick Diaz (R)
CAPITOLA — Authorities from Santa Cruz County arrested three gang members for their part in a drive-by shooting that occurred on Thursday night on the corner of Opal Cliff Drive and Portola Drive and ended at Soquel High School. Arrested were Anthony Hernandez, Patrick Diaz, and a 14-year-old juvenile.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the whole thing began after reports of a black SUV firing shots at a Honda.
The 14-year-old juvenile bolted from the SUV and was arrested as the SUV drove off, though the chase ended at San Jose Road and O’Neill Lane when the SUV caught fire. Police also confirmed that one person had been shot and was in the hospital.
After the SUV caught fire, the remaining two suspects ran from the vehicle. Soquel High School was put on lockdown while authorities established a perimeter and a CHP helicopter was deployed. Hernandez and Diaz were eventually found hiding behind a building on campus.
All three, including the juvenile, are said to be gang members out of Watsonville.
