Gang-motivated shooting in Watsonville leaves man in critical condition

Police followed leads Tuesday in the shooting of a 19-year-old Watsonville man who was targeted by rival gang members. The man was shot several times but was expected to live, said Watsonville police Sgt. Saul Gonzalez. About 10:40 p.m. Monday, two men in a car arrived at an apartment complex on the 200 block of Clifford Avenue, according to police. The victim was walking home with his younger sister to an apartment when two men approached them. One of the men then shot him several times in the torso, Gonzalez said. The victim's sister screamed as the men fled in the car, Gonzalez said. She was not injured. Gonzalez said the suspects "were there looking for a victim - just an opposing gang member." Police declined to say how many times the 19-year-old was shot. The victim was taken by helicopter to a Bay Area trauma center. He was in critical condition early Tuesday morning but was expected to live, Gonzalez said. Police declined to describe suspects or their car because of the ongoing investigation. It is being treated as an attempted homicide, said Gonzalez. The victim's name also was not released. Police were investigating whether the victim knew the suspects. The apartment complex has been the scene of two homicides since 2008. However, both slayings were linked to parties in Unit C that appears unrelated to Monday's shooting.