Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Watsonville Man Arrested in Pajaro Bar Shooting Expected to Avoid Homicide Charges

SALINAS — The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office has revealed that a Watsonville man, Sergio Ramos Carranza, who was arrested following a tragic shooting incident at a Pajaro bar that resulted in two fatalities, is unlikely to face homicide charges.

In a press release issued by Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni on Tuesday, it was stated that the case was being considered as an act of self-defense. Instead, Carranza, 47, will be arraigned on a felony charge of carrying a loaded firearm in public. The District Attorney’s Office is currently conducting an investigation and review of the shooting incident and has refrained from providing further comments until the process is completed.

The incident unfolded when Gerardo Hernandez Herrera, 36, entered El Torero Bar on Salinas Road at approximately 1 a.m. on November 21. Hernandez Herrera allegedly confronted Carranza, who was a patron at the bar and was armed at the time. An altercation ensued, resulting in Hernandez Herrera opening fire. Carranza quickly retaliated by drawing his own firearm and returning fire. The exchange of gunfire lasted for a mere 3.5 seconds, as reported by the District Attorney’s Office.

Tragically, Carranza shot and killed Hernandez Herrera, the assailant, and also fatally wounded a bar employee identified as Jenny Carolina Martinez Bejarano, 36, from San Jose, according to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office. Three additional individuals were injured by gunfire but their injuries were not life-threatening, as confirmed by the District Attorney’s Office.

According to state law, when a person acts justifiably in self-defense but inadvertently harms or kills an innocent bystander, it is legally considered self-defense and not a criminal act, as emphasized in Pacioni’s release. Consequently, the individual who initiated the gunfire becomes responsible for all resulting injuries or deaths.

Hernandez Herrera, following identification as a suspect in the police investigation, surrendered himself on November 22 at the Watsonville Police Department.

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