On Monday July 9, 2013 at approximately 10PM, Santa Cruz Police Officers were dispatched to San Lorenzo Park for a report of a victim of a gunshot wound. When officers arrived, they found a 36-year-old male with a single gunshot wound to the upper torso. Officers provided medical aid until EMS personnel arrived to the scene to continue care. The injured male was eventually flown to an out of county trauma center, where he was treated for his non-life threatening injury.
When later interviewed, the four victims reported that they were walking through the park headed toward Downtown Santa Cruz when they were confronted by the suspect (depicted in sketch). The suspect pointed a firearm at the victims and demanded their wallets. Before the victims could comply, the suspect shot one of the victims. After retrieving another one of the victim’s wallets, the suspect fled the scene on foot. The suspect is described as a white male adult, between the ages of 18-30 years old, approximately 5’ 8” to 5’ 9” tall, with a thin build and dirty skin. The suspect was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and a bandana covering the lower portion of his face.
The Santa Cruz Police Department is seeking assistance from the public in identifying the suspect in this case. Anyone with information is encouraged to call 9-1-1 or contact the Santa Cruz Police Department Investigations Unit at (831) 420-5820. Anonymous tips can be left on our tip line or via our mobile phone app.
(1) Name: Withheld (Male), Age: 36 years-old, Residence: City of Portland, Oregon
(2) Name: Withheld (Male), Age: 44 years-old, Residence: City of Portland, Oregon
(3) Name: Withheld (Male), Age: 42 years-old, Residence: City of Hood River, Oregon
(4) Name: Withheld (Female), Age: 28 years-old, Residence: City of Santa Cruz