Watsonville restaurant opens for first time since double homicide
The Watsonville restaurant where a four-year-old girl was killed by a stray bullet 10 days ago opened its doors back up Tuesday.
The Fish House Bar and Grill is open for the first time since the death of the owner’s granddaughter, Jaelyn Zavala.
The owner told News Channel Five he is so thankful for the support his family has received.
On Tuesday, it was a busy day for the business.
Behind the smiles, there is a lot of hurt. The memory of a deadly shooting was all too fresh on the minds of many from the community.
“Horrible, just terrible. An innocent little girl with her whole life ahead of her cut down,” said Diane Robey of Watsonville.
Zavala was sitting in the restaurant’s business office Oct. 10 when she was killed in what police call a gang-related shooting.
Ramon Rendon, 33, was also killed that night.
“You can’t just give up and let bad people win,” said Narita Taylor of Watsonville.
That’s why Watsonville residents Taylor and Robey said they came out to support the restaurant on its first day back open.
They, like many in the community, want to do everything they can to help.
“It has been traumatic, but none more so than of course the family of the victims,” said Chief Manny Solano with the Watsonville Police Chief.
“They’ve offered prayers, words of support and encouragement, but again spending some of their money here locally would make an impact,” said Watsonville Mayor Karina Cervantez.
The family has been a part of the Central Coast community for years. As they return to the very place their little girl was murdered, an entire community is behind them.
“The family is still grieving. From what I heard from the family, they’re not yet ready to even reopen the restaurant. They still need that time to mourn,” Cervantez said. “But, again, it was important for them to be here for their employees and the community just as the community has been there for them.”
Watsonville police said they’re making good progress on the case and are devoting a lot of time to it.
The shooting suspect, Michael Escobar, is expected to appear in court Wednesday.
