Shooting Outside Santa Cruz Restaurant Injures Two

A shooting incident outside The Crow's Nest restaurant in Santa Cruz on Thursday evening resulted in two individuals suffering critical injuries, prompting a swift response from local authorities. The Santa Cruz police received reports of the shooting around 8:53 p.m. in the parking lot of the Small Craft Harbor, where a crowded beach party was taking place. Officers arrived on the scene to find the victims and immediately provided first aid until medics could transport them to a trauma center. Preliminary investigations revealed that an altercation occurred in the parking lot prior to the gunfire. Witnesses reported seeing a suspect fleeing the scene in a black Dodge Charger shortly after the shots were fired. One witness, Kim Baker, recounted the chaotic moments leading up to the shooting, describing how she saw two men enter an alleyway just before the gunshots rang out. Baker recalled a man running towards her, exclaiming, "I got shot, I got shot," before collapsing. As the investigation continues, police have not yet established a motive for the shooting. Authorities are actively seeking information from any witnesses who may have seen the events unfold. The community remains on edge as the search for the suspect continues, highlighting concerns over safety in public spaces.