Background
On Friday April 3, 2015 at approximately 7:30 p.m. the
Santa Cruz Police Department responded to the report of gun shots in the area
of River St. and North Pacific Ave. Upon our arrival, one victim was located
with a single gunshot wound to his upper torso. The victim was pronounced
deceased at the scene by Santa Cruz Fire Medical personnel.
Suspect Brandon Thomas, 22-yrs old
Information
The Santa Cruz Police Department has arrested and booked
a second suspect for his involvement in the homicide. The second suspect is
identified as Jonah Namauu, 23 years, Santa Cruz resident. Namauu was
a person of interest early in the investigation. He had been detained on
Saturday April 4, 2015, interviewed, and ultimately booked into the jail on a
parole violation. Namauu has now been arrested and booked into the County Jail
on charges of murder, attempted murder, gang enhancement, discharge of a
firearm, the discharge of a firearm from a vehicle, and conspiracy. A photo
will be released at a later time pending further investigation.
The first suspect that was arrested on Saturday April 4,
2015 at approximately 11:00 a.m. is identified as Brandon Thomas, 22 years, Santa Cruz resident. Thomas
was arrested in less than 24 hours of the homicide on a $1 million dollar
arrest warrant. Thomas has been charged with murder, attempted murder, gang
enhancement, discharge of a firearm, the discharge of a firearm from a vehicle,
and conspiracy.
The victim of the homicide has been
identified as Samuel Weinberg, 18 years, Santa
Cruz resident.
The investigation is continuing.
