Santa Cruz Shooting: 3 Arrested, 2 Charged with Attempted Murder

A Santa Cruz shooting on Errett Circle has led to three arrests, with two individuals charged with attempted murder. The arrests follow a police investigation that included search warrants served in Santa Cruz and Watsonville.

Officers responded to reports of gunfire at about 8:07 p.m. on July 13 in the 500 block of Errett Circle. They found evidence of a shooting, but no injuries were reported. Investigators initially believed the incident may be gang-related, though it remains unclear whether that assessment still holds.

According to Santa Cruz Police Chief Bernie Escalante, evidence and witness reports indicate an armed suspect approached a victim's vehicle and fired at the victim from outside the vehicle. Suspects had fled by the time officers arrived, but detectives collected evidence through the night.

Who was arrested and what are the charges?

The Santa Cruz Police Department announced the arrests on July 31. The three individuals and their charges are:

• Jose Ernesto Puga Banuelos – attempted murder, assault with a firearm, discharging a firearm at an occupied vehicle, and conspiracy to commit a crime.
• Guadalupe Manuel Figueroa Escoto – attempted murder, assault with a firearm, and discharging a firearm at an occupied vehicle (no conspiracy count).
• Anthony Jose Sanchez-Escobar – carrying a loaded firearm in public.

Banuelos and Escoto were booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail. Sanchez-Escobar's booking was also confirmed by police.

Investigation details and next steps

The arrests came after detectives served search warrants in Santa Cruz and Watsonville. The investigation remains active, and police are asking anyone with information to contact the Santa Cruz Police Department or submit an anonymous tip through the department's tip line at (831) 420-5995.

This incident is separate from the Santa Cruz Boardwalk shooting that occurred earlier in the summer, which also drew public attention to gun violence in the area. While the Boardwalk incident involved a different set of circumstances, both cases highlight ongoing concerns about public safety in the city.

For context, Santa Cruz has seen periodic spikes in violent crime, though the city's overall rates remain lower than many comparable California municipalities. The Circles neighborhood, where this shooting occurred, is a residential area not typically associated with gun violence.

As the legal process moves forward, the two attempted murder charges carry serious penalties under California law, including potential life sentences. The conspiracy charge against Banuelos suggests investigators believe there was coordinated planning, though the specifics have not been released.

Police have not commented on a possible motive beyond the initial gang-related suspicion. The investigation's ongoing status means additional arrests or charges are possible.

For residents concerned about safety, the Santa Cruz Police Department encourages reporting suspicious activity through its non-emergency line. The department's tip line remains open for anonymous submissions related to this case.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened in the Santa Cruz shooting?

On July 13, 2026, police responded to reports of gunfire in the 500 block of Errett Circle in Santa Cruz's Circles neighborhood. Officers found evidence of a shooting but no injuries were reported. The investigation led to three arrests.

Who was arrested in connection with the Santa Cruz shooting?

Jose Ernesto Puga Banuelos, Guadalupe Manuel Figueroa Escoto, and Anthony Jose Sanchez-Escobar were arrested. Banuelos and Escoto face attempted murder charges, while Sanchez-Escobar was charged with carrying a loaded firearm in public.

How can I provide information about the Santa Cruz shooting?

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Santa Cruz Police Department at (831) 420-5995 or submit an anonymous tip through the department's tip line.

We will update this story as more information becomes available. If you have information about the Errett Circle shooting, call the Santa Cruz Police Department at (831) 420-5995.