Shooting prompts Santa Cruz Port District to cancel remaining Crow’s Nest beach parties

The Santa Cruz Port District is canceling a popular weekly beach barbecue festival following a shooting last week that injured two people outside the nearby Crow’s Nest restaurant.

The decision comes a day after the restaurant told Lookout that the Thursday Night Beach BBQ series would proceed as planned in the harbor area through the end of the summer.

“The Port District deeply regrets having to cancel the remaining Thursday Night Beach Barbeque events but it is the most responsible course of action as we evaluate the impacts to public safety associated with large gatherings at the harbor,” Port Director Holland MacLaurie said in a statement released Tuesday evening. “The Port District remains committed to ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment for the community and will work closely with the Crow’s Nest Restaurant to review the future of this longstanding event series. We extend our condolences to those affected by the incident and appreciate the ongoing understanding and support.”

The Santa Cruz Police Department on Tuesday told Lookout that canceling the series was the port district’s call, and that if the events were to continue, it would provide whatever police presence was necessary. Police said they have yet to make an arrest in the case, and that the two victims were still hospitalized.

The Crow’s Nest hosts the well-attended, typically family-friendly barbecue series from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays from late May until the end of August.

Last week’s shooting took place at about 9 p.m., soon after the event wrapped up. Police said the next morning that they believed the shooting stemmed from an altercation in the parking lot near the restaurant, and that a suspect fled in a black Dodge Charger.

Have something to say? Lookout welcomes letters to the editor, within our policies, from readers. Guidelines here.