Crime & Safety

Santa Cruz Officer Allegedly Shot, Killed Man When His Gun Accidentally Discharged

Both men were taken to a hospital, where Ferro-Sanchez succumbed to his injuries.

(Courtney Teague/Patch)

October 26, 2022

A 22-year-old Santa Cruz police officer allegedly killed another man with an accidental discharge of his personal firearm while preparing to clean it in Salinas on Friday, according to Salinas police.

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Francisco Villicana reported the accidental discharge of his gun around 5:45 p.m. Friday in the 1500 block of Antelope Drive, where officers arrived to find Luis Alfredo Ferro-Sanchez, 20, suffering from a gunshot wound to his torso while Villicana had suffered a gunshot wound to his hand, police said.

Both men were taken to a hospital, where Ferro-Sanchez succumbed to his injuries.

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