Watsonville man charged with murder for illegal marijuana dispensary shooting

A man police say ran an illegal marijuana dispensary in Watsonville is now facing murder charges.

According to Watsonville Police, the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office has officially filed murder charges against 25-year-old Eli Gutierrez.

Police say the charges stem from a deadly shooting outside the dispensary on June 30, 2018.

Officers were called out to Lawrence Avenue and South Green Valley Road after a 32-year-old man was shot and killed in a driveway in that area.

Police later discovered the 32-year-old and another man identified as Louis Ledesma went to Eli Gutierrez’s home and robbed them at gunpoint. Police said Gutierrez was operating an illegal marijuana dispensary with his father.

The 32-year-old armed robber and Louis Ledesma stole cash and marijuana before running off. That’s when shots were fired and the 32-year-old was killed. Ledesma was found a few blocks away and arrested.

Officers also arrested Eli Gutierrez and his father Elias for murder, but charges weren’t filed at the time as the investigation was ongoing.

An arrest warrant was issued for Gutierrez last week.

Police said Eli Gutierrez then turned himself into the Santa Cruz County Jail on Wednesday, December 12th, 2018. He is facing murder and gun enhancement charges.

Eli Gutierrez is being held on a $1.5 million bail. He is expected to be in court later this week.

Ledesma is scheduled to be back in court for a preliminary hearing early next year.