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Pauly Silva

SANTA CRUZ -- Investigators in the homicide of Pauly Silva moved closer to naming suspects and explaining a potential motive in his death Tuesday.

They continued to seek information from uncooperative witnesses.

"We still have people who we know were there but who are not cooperating or are shielding suspects," Santa Cruz Deputy Police Chief Steve Clark said.

If they don't cooperate, police said witnesses could be arrested on suspicion of accessory to murder.

"There are additional people out there who need to come forward or they're going to find us at their door," Clark said.

Silva, a 32-year-old martial arts instructor and plumber, was shot to death outside a restaurant and bar near Locust and Cedar streets about 12:30 a.m. Saturday.

Authorities said they found several bullet casings on the street. About 12:50 p.m., Watsonville police arrested two men near South Green Valley Road who were in a Mercedes that fit a description of a car at the shooting scene.

The two men remained in Santa Cruz police custody Tuesday on suspicion of unlawful possession of ammunition, gang participation and a probation violation.

They have not been arrested on suspicion of murder. Police have not detailed their possible roles in Silva's death. A third man who police described as a possible suspect was arrested in Santa Cruz on Saturday morning. He also remained in custody for an outstanding warrant Tuesday, Clark said.


"We're working actively with the (Santa Cruz County) Gang Task Force as well. There's a lot of good information that has come out of it. Some of it was forensic."

In part because Silva's twin brother was shot at on Laurel Street in Santa Cruz in January, police investigated a potential motive of mistaken identity in Silva's death.

Tuesday, Clark said that was not the "predominate theory." He declined to elaborate on other potential motives.

About 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, a be on the lookout was issued for Silva's twin brother, who hadn't been heard from since Saturday. He was described as suicidal, having said, "They shot the wrong brother," according to emergency dispatches. He was last seen wearing a dark sweatshirt and blue jeans.

Silva was not a documented gang member but he knew gang members, police said.

Police also said inconsistent witness statements made it unclear how much time Silva spent in the Red Restaurant and Bar and how long he was outside it the night he was killed.

Many friends of Silva continued to offer their support to his family and two children.

"We have lost a valuable resource, a fighter, a teacher and a friend," wrote kickboxing instructor Sam Radetsky on the Kaijin Mixed Martial Arts website.

Radetesky worked with Silva and said "Pauly was loud and boisterous, laughing and joking, but he was quiet when it came to himself."

Details of a memorial service have not been announced.


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