Santa Cruz Police Arrest Two Suspects Following October Shooting Investigation
SANTA CRUZ, CA – December 17th 2025 — “The Santa Cruz Police Department announces the arrest of two suspects in connection with a shooting that occurred on Sunday, October 5, 2025.
Santa Cruz, CA – On Sunday, October 5, 2025, at approximately 7:51 PM, Santa Cruz Police Officers responded to a report of shots fired in the area of Beach Flats Park. Upon arrival, officers located evidence at the scene and canvassed the area. Surveillance footage obtained from a nearby business showed two groups of male subjects involved in a verbal altercation. Shortly thereafter, one subject was observed discharging a firearm toward the other group. The shooter and a second individual were then seen fleeing the area in a gray 2019 Honda.
No victims came forward in connection with this incident.
The investigation was later assumed by Santa Cruz Police Department Detectives, who conducted a thorough and lengthy follow-up investigation. Through the collection of video surveillance, physical evidence, and assistance of the Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology, detectives were able to positively identify the shooter, the driver involved in the incident, as well as the suspect vehicle used to flee the scene. Arrest and search warrants were subsequently obtained.
“Automated License Plate Reader technology, with surveillance footage from a nearby business, and the great work by our investigations team ultimately helped solve this case,” said Santa Cruz Police Chief Bernie Escalante.
On Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at approximately 5:00 AM, the Santa Cruz Police Department, with the assistance of the Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team (SCCACT), Oakland Police Department, and the San Leandro Police Department, successfully served the warrants and arrested both suspects in Alameda County.
The Santa Cruz Police Department would like to sincerely thank the assisting agencies for their invaluable collaboration and support. This case was successfully resolved through the coordinated efforts of all involved law enforcement partners.”
