Two Men Arrested For Discharging Firearm on Cowell’s Beach

“On May 29, 2023, at 6:10 pm, the Santa Cruz Police Department (SCPD) received a report of two subjects shooting a handgun at the west end of Cowell’s Beach, near the rocks. The subjects were described as dark-skinned males, wearing dark colored sweatshirts and pants.

Officers arrived on scene within minutes and began evacuating Cowell’s Beach. Officers could see two subjects who were initially hiding behind the rocks at the end of the beach. Officers moved in to contact the males and detained both subjects without further incident.

During the investigation, officers discovered that the two subjects were shooting at an empty wine bottle that they consumed earlier. A 9mm “Ghost gun” handgun was found on one of the subjects. Officers located several bullet casings and a broken wine bottle in the area where the subjects were seen shooting the gun.

The subject in possession of the handgun was a convicted felon named Roy Miller, a 43-year-old resident of San Jose. Mr. Miller was arrested and booked into the county jail on charges of a felon in possession of a handgun & ammo, possession of a concealed loaded firearm, negligent discharge of a firearm, and public intoxication.

The other subject was identified as Kiiren Pumphery Jenkins, a 31-year-old resident of San Jose. Mr. Jenkins was arrested and booked into the county jail on charges of negligent discharge of a firearm and public intoxication.

No beachgoers were injured during the incident and officers were able to keep everyone safe on this busy Memorial Day.”