Friday’s fatal shooting in Watsonville was the city’s ninth murder of 2014. At least five of the nine homicides are believed to be gang related, making Watsonville’s per capita gang related homicide rate higher than Salinas, with seven gang related killings so far this year. In 2010, Watsonville had one homicide before spiking to five in 2011. In 2012, the number dropped to two and 2013 recorded three homicides. Authorities believe an escalation in gang violence and retaliations is to blame for the increases.
