Police Arrest One in Gang Fight
WATSONVILLE—Police arrest one after they responded to a local liquor store on Freedom Blvd on a report of a gang fight. The Watsonville Police arrested Joshua Zepeda for attempted murder.
At around 10 p.m. The Watsonville Police responded to a reported fight in the parking lot of Lulu’s Liquors on the 1000 Block of Freedom Blvd in Watsonville. They found a victim of a stabbing nearby at the corner of East High Street and Freedom Boulevard.
Lulu's Liquor store was the scene of the deadly gang fight
“The male victim was stabbed several times in the back” Lieutenant David McCartney of the Watsonville Police Department said. “He was flown to a Bay Area Trauma Center for Treatment.”
Officers were able to interview the victim and he indicated that six to nine males in the parking lot confronted him. He attempted to flee but the suspects chased him and stabbed the victim before leaving on foot. The victim’s story was corroborated by several witnesses.
At about an hour later, Watsonville Community Hospital notified police that a male, later identified as Zepeda, arrived at the hospital seeking treatment for a knife wound to his hand. “Police believed the victim did not have a knife and that the wounds that Zepeda had were self-inflicted.” Lieutenant McCartney added.
The Watsonville Investigation Unit along with the Santa Cruz County Gang Task Force began to investigate this incident. During their investigation, several witnesses identified Zepeda as one of the suspects. Investigators also found physical evidence that linked Zepeda to the stabbing.
Zepeda was arrested for attempted murder with gang enhancements. He has been booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail and his bail has been set at $275,000.00
Anyone with further information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Watsonville Police Department Investigation Unit at 831-768-3352 or the Crime Tip Line 831-768-3544
Read More:
examiner.com: Arrest made in gang-related stabbing outside Watsonville liquor store
Watsonville Patch: Gang-related Stabbing in Front of Lulu’s Liquors
