Martin Holguin,held in connection with the death of 22-year-old Vincente Christopher Morneno, of Santa Cruz.
Martin Holguin, 19, surrendered without incident around 3 a.m. Sunday at an illegal campsite along the Pajaro River, according to Santa Cruz Police Capt. Steve Clark. Holguin was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail on suspicion of homicide. Holguin and a 17-year-old boy, who is not being named because he is a juvenile, are being held in connection with the death of 22-year-old Vincente Christopher Morneno, of Santa Cruz. Moreno was stabbed to death Friday night at the intersection of Soquel Avenue and Frederick Street. According to witnesses and police, the three engaged in gang slurs on the bus and then took their argument to the street in a physical fight.
Moreno was stabbed multiple times in the torso and later was pronounced dead at Dominican Hospital. The juvenile suspect was arrested nearby, but Holguin initially eluded police. Street crimes officers early Sunday traced the 19-year-old to the Pajaro River camp, where he was known to hang out. Clark also credited neighbors and the Monterey County helicopter with helping lead police to the suspect. Photographs and infrared images taken from the Monterey County helicopter highlighted the camp's location. Neighbors responding to an automated police request for information also alerted police to clothing and other evidence thought to be valuable in the investigation. Police said Holguin will likely face gang enhancements to the homicide charges.