Pauly Silva, 32, was fatally shot in Santa Cruz, California, on February 9, 2013, about 12:30 AM in the 200 block of Locust Street. Officers found Silva deceased at the scene with multiple gunshot wounds and opened an investigation to determine motive and identify those responsible.

Witnesses reported the shooter fled in a green or gray 1990s Mercedes. Watsonville police stopped a car matching that description roughly 30 minutes later; inside were Damian Padilla, 19, and Aaron James Jimenez, 25. Both were arrested on ammunition possession and gang participation charges. Padilla remained in county jail with bail set at $25,000 while Jimenez posted bail and faced a probation violation. Authorities did not officially name either man as a suspect in Silva’s killing.

Deputy Chief Steve Clark said the stop matched witness information, while defense attorneys disputed the detention’s legality. Reports also indicate an individual believed to be the shooter was in Santa Cruz County Jail on unrelated charges, though it was unclear whether formal charges in Silva’s homicide had been filed. If anyone knew Pauly Silva or saw activity on Locust Street that night, please share what was observed.