Ivan Garcia-Avila, 24, was killed in a daylight drive-by shooting on December 19, 2014, in Watsonville, California. The shooting happened about 11:20 a.m. near Callahan Park and Sudden Street while Ivan was walking on Freedom Boulevard with a 31-year-old companion. A white car pulled up, occupants described as wearing red clothing opened fire, and Ivan was struck in the chest. He was taken to Watsonville Community Hospital but died of his injuries; his companion was uninjured and later spoke to police.

Police investigators described the killing as gang-related and said Ivan was a known gang member, though the exact motive was unclear. The suspects fled and no arrests were made immediately; the department set up Project Rope to try to block escape routes. Ivan was a devoted father to a four-year-old son, and family and community members raised funds for funeral costs. Anyone with information about the shooting or the white car is asked to come forward.