On October 4, 2024, at about 12:43 a.m., Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputies found two 21-year-old cousins, Jeremiah Rios Aguilera and Giovanni Aburto Lopez, with gunshot wounds on the 700 block of Carlton Road, an agricultural area near Watsonville. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene. The Sheriff’s Office has called the incident a targeted attack and is investigating to identify the suspect or suspects.

Detectives have been interviewing witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage to determine why Aguilera and Lopez were in that location in the early morning hours. No arrests have been announced and authorities have not publicly identified any suspects. The community has held memorials and family and friends are mourning the losses. Even small tips can matter; anyone with information is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office.