A sleepy California beach enclave known for its highest-in-the-nation rent prices was rocked Monday evening by a shooting that led to a chaotic scene of parents and children fleeing for their lives.
Shots were fired in the parking lot near the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk around 9 p.m. and people were evacuated from the amusement park, police said. There were reports of at least five shots being fired.
Panicked visitors screamed and fled the popular amusement park’s rides, some seeking shelter inside arcade basements and nearby local businesses, according to videos of the incident posted to social media.
“No one was struck by gunfire, there were no reported injuries, and there is no active threat to the public. The scene is secure,” Santa Cruz Police said after 10 p.m.
More than 15 police cars responded to the incident and the investigation remains active. Two 17-year-old teens were arrested in the city of Ceres, police announced.
The Santa Cruz Seaside Company, which manages the boardwalk, said in a statement to KSBW there appeared to be a “small fight.”
“We are still gathering details and working closely with the Santa Cruz Police Department,” the company said. “Local police responded to reports of a small fight and shots fired in the parking lot across the street from the park.”
People can be seen running toward the exit of the boardwalk while a number of armed officers run in the opposite direction, according to videos shared online. The presence of children seemed to make the incident more chaotic.
“Don’t go back there!” one mother can be heard yelling.
Santa Cruz residents on social media recounted hearing the gunshots and immediately hiding and sheltering in place at the closest structure or building. Much of the chaos emanated from the Pirate Ship ride’s side of the park, near the Casino Arcade.
“Saddest sight was parents and kids sheltering in place at the little helicopter ride, and people running and crying,” one user said. “Not my first active shooter situation and probably won’t be my last.”
“A lot of us were confused and it wasn’t until even more people were screaming and running that everyone just started sprinting,” another said.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Santa Cruz Police Department Investigations Unit at 831-420-5995.
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