Man stabbed, Child shot in gang related fight, CA

[Lucinda F. Boyd]

Police Arrest 2 Men In Connection To Incident

POSTED: 5:08 am PST March 6, 2010
UPDATED: 6:27 pm PST March 6, 2010

WATSONVILLE, Calif. --

Two men have been arrested in connection to an incident at an area bowling alley that left one person stabbed and a child shot, Watsonville police said.

The incident happened at about 9:20 p.m. Friday at the Cabrillo Lanes Bowling Alley on Auto Center Drive.

Authorities said a 19-year-old man was stabbed in the neck during a confrontation at the bowling alley and that during the fracas someone pulled out a gun and fired, hitting a 7-year-old who was bowling with his family.

"When you have a very young victim and an uninvolved victim shot, it's certainly shocking," said Watsonville Police Chief Manny Solano.

The two victims may be related, though Solani said it appeared the intended target was the 20-year-old.

Solano said the 7-year-old that was shot was caught up in the crossfire.

"He was there with family and friends, as were other people. The victim who was stabbed actually was there taking part in recreational activities when the two suspects came in," Solano said.

The child was hit in the abdomen and flown to a Bay area hospital, police said. Both victims are listed in stable condition at Bay Area hospitals after surgery and are expected to make a full recovery.

Police were searching door to door in the area Friday looking for two men who were seen running from the scene.

Two Watsonville residents, 20-year-old Jordan James Macias and 18-year-old Abraham Santoyo, were taken into custody Saturday afternoon. Police said Macias is on parole and Santoyo was found with a gun similar in caliber to the weapon used on the child. Both are being held on attempted murder charges.

Investigators said they believe the incident is gang-related.

Stabbings In Santa Cruz Up

"Santa Cruz County, up to this point, has had 13 from the beginning of the year -- 13 stabbings, which is in line for another 70+ year," said Helbard Alkhassadeh, with StabSantaCruz.com.

This scene is now common, according to Alkhassadeh, a Santa Cruz resident now tracking violence in the county on his Web site StabSantaCruz.com.

He said there was more than one stabbing a week in Santa Cruz County last year. So with police stretched thin, Alkhassadeh said it's up to the community at large to change things.

"What's left is us. It's the people. It's the people that live here. What are we doing about it?" said Alkhassadeh.

Watsonville police credits immense cooperation from the community and the business owners that led to these quick arrests.

Alkhassadeh said this type of effort is the only way we'll keep our streets safe.

"It's happening in public places. It's happening to innocent people. It's happening to 7 year olds. So if you don't think it's affecting you, and you don't think it's your problem, it's all of our problem now -- people have to go and do something about it. You have to do something. It's our community. You have to do something about it," Alkhassadeh said.

Anyone with information regarding this case is strongly encouraged to call the Watsonville Police Department Crime Tip line at 728-3544 or the Watsonville Police Department Investigation Bureau at 768-3352.