April 6, 2015

SCPD Announces Arrests in Homicide Case from Friday April 3, 2015

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.