Great Police Work - Shooter Arrested & Search Warrant Nets Drugs, Firearms & $36,500

Last week, after an in-depth investigation, Santa Cruz Police arrested Deshawn Hatfield in the 7/16 /17 attempted homicide shooting which also led Detectives to a drug dealing operation. Santa Cruz Police Department and the Neighborhood Enforcement Team (NET) executed a search warrant at a residence in the 100 block of Kennan Street. Officers found 20 grams of methamphetamine, 1 pound of cocaine, 14 ounces of crack cocaine, 5 pounds of marijuana, firearms, dozens of rounds of ammunition, and $36,500 cash.

The initial investigation began on 07/16/17, around 2:00 a.m., an attempted homicide occurred in the 700 block of Pacific Ave. A 33-year-old, male victim was shot once in the neck and life flighted to an out-of-county trauma center. The victim has since recovered.

The suspects, described as two black male adults, fled the scene after the shooting. Detectives worked through the night and the following week collecting evidence and following up on leads. As a result, Deshawn Hatfield and Terrence Tolliver were identified as persons of interest in the case but had yet to be located.

Deshawn Hatfield, 27 years old from Santa Cruz

Terrance Tolliver, 30 years old from Santa Cruz 

On 07/31/17, around 1:00 a.m., Hatfield and Tolliver were both spotted and arrested in the 200 block of Front Street. Deshawn Hatfield, 27 years old from Santa Cruz, was arrested for possession for sales of crack cocaine and methamphetamine.

Terrance Tolliver, 30 years old from Santa Cruz was arrested for possession of a loaded stolen firearm and probation violation.

After interviewing both suspects regarding the 7/16/17 shooting incident, Detectives arrested Deshawn Hatfield for being the shooter in the attempt-homicide. Mr. Tolliver was released pending further investigation.

On 08/02/17 Detectives and SCPD NET served a search warrant at an address associated with Deshawn Hatfield and Terrence Tolliver on the 100 block of Kennan Street in Santa Cruz. Upon execution of the search warrant, officers recovered evidence in the attempted homicide and illegal drug manufacturing and sales located inside the home.

Officers seized the following evidence:
Loaded Sawed off .22 rifle
Loaded .22 caliber semi-automatic firearm
Homemade shotgun
Various rounds of Ammunition
Extended magazine for semi-automatic firearm
Stun gun
Money counter
$36,500 US Currency
20 grams of methamphetamine
1 pound of cocaine
14 ounces of crack cocaine
Approximately 5 pounds of marijuana

"I cannot express how grateful I am to my officers who made the arrests possible. Because of their efforts, the suspect involved in the attempted homicide is now in custody. It was the great teamwork and effort of our detectives and Neighborhood Enforcement Team who pieced together facts and circumstances leading to the identification and apprehension of the suspect which then also allowed us to shut down a drug operation.” said Chief Mills.

Community members wanting to assist this investigation with information are encouraged to contact the Santa Cruz Police Department Investigation Unit at (831) 420-5820.