Francisco Mora Castillo Jr was 19 and a resident of Freedom, California, when he was found fatally shot near the Pajaro River levee close to Walker Street in Watsonville on January 9, 2021. He was discovered around 7 p.m. near the railroad tracks. His death was the second homicide in Watsonville that week.

Watsonville police describe the investigation as difficult: no suspects have been identified and no arrests have been made. Authorities say there have been few witnesses and little concrete evidence to reconstruct what happened. The city was already dealing with other violent incidents in early January 2021, including a separate shooting two days earlier that resulted in an accidental death.

Francisco’s family and friends continue to hope for leads that might bring answers and justice. If anyone has information about this shooting, please come forward and contact the investigating agency.