SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — On December 8th 2025, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 63-year-old Colin Sean Tisdale of Scotts Valley in connection with the 2012 shooting death of Jeffrey Stephensen Smith. This apprehension concludes a thirteen-year investigation into the circumstances of the victim’s death.
File photo of victim Jeffrey Stephensen Smith | Courtesy of Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office
The incident occurred on August 16, 2012, at approximately 3:00 a.m. Deputies and medical personnel were dispatched to a residence on Nicasio Way in Soquel following a report of a male who had sustained a gunshot wound. Upon arrival, deputies located Jeffrey Smith, who was critically injured. Despite immediate medical intervention at the scene, the victim succumbed to his injuries shortly after law enforcement personnel arrived.
Following consultation with the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s detectives recently secured an arrest warrant for Colin Tisdale charging him with PC 187, Murder. Tisdale was taken into custody at the Santa Cruz County Jail, where he was already being held on unrelated charges. A records search indicates that Tisdale has been arrested numerous times over the years, and those prior arrests may be viewed here.
Jail and court records indicate that Tisdale was arraigned today, on December 10th, and is currently being held without bail. He is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing in the Santa Cruz County Superior Court on January 13th 2026.
