Watsonville Arrest Nabs Man With Gun Near School

WATSONVILLE - A 33-year-old man was arrested after a report he was allegedly intoxicated and armed, which led officers to guard a nearby elementary school on Wednesday afternoon in Watsonville, a police sergeant said.

Alex Cornejo was arrested on suspicion of vandalism, domestic violence, exhibiting a firearm and other crimes, police Sgt. Juan Trujillo said.

Around 2:15 p.m., officers responded to a report from a person who said an armed subject was drunk and aiming a shotgun at them from an apartment in the 200 block of Ross Avenue, Trujillo said.

The call prompted officers to order a lockdown at Freedom Elementary School, which is located near the apartment, as a precaution, Trujillo said.

Officers, accompanied by a K-9 unit, surrounded the area and called out to the subject, according to Trujillo. The subject, later identified as Cornejo, exited the apartment and walked away from police toward a common area in the apartment complex, Trujillo said.

Officers approached him and took him into custody without incident, according to Trujillo.

After Cornejo was arrested, police recovered a shotgun from the apartment, Trujillo said.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call police investigations at (831) 768-3350.

Those who wish to remain anonymous may call the police tip line at (831) 728-3544 or send a text to 888777 with “WATSPD” in the message.

-Bay City News Service, image via ShutterStock