SOQUEL >> A man and woman were shot on N. Rodeo Gulch Road, just off Soquel Drive at approximately 2:30 p.m. Monday.

A man fled the scene in a white 2013 Honda rental car, license plate number 7PXV944, and remains at large. The rental is reportedly registered to a Jose Ramos, 31, whom the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office have identified as a person of interest, according to Sgt. Chris Clark.

Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputies and CHP officers closed down Soquel Drive and N. Rodeo Gulch Road during the preliminary investigation. A witness reported hearing six gunshots although Clark could not confirm this.

“Two subjects were shot. Both were taken to different, undisclosed medical centers with serious injuries,” Clark said. “Detectives are actively working the investigation.”

The woman was reportedly shot in the back. The nature of the man’s injuries were not disclosed. The relationship between the victims and Ramos, if any, remains unclear at this time.

At the scene, a dark blue Honda Accord had crashed into road sign on N. Rodeo Gulch Road and what appeared to be bloody clothing was scattered on the ground before the driver side door. A forensics team investigated bullet holes in at least two of the vehicles parked on the side of the road where the shooting took place.

A witness at the scene who asked to remain unidentified said the suspect was wearing a dark blue buttoned shirt and a baseball cap. Neither article of clothing had any discernible logo on it.

“He got in a white Camry and drove that way,” the witness said, pointing west on Soquel Drive.

Ramos is considered armed and dangerous as the weapon used in the shooting has not been located, according to Clark.

“We are asking the public to not approach Mr. Ramos, but instead call 911 or 831-471-1121,” said Clark.

Two vehicles were investigated in the wake of the shooting; both proved to be the wrong car. CHP officers stopped a car on Highway 17 and drew their weapons on its driver near Vine Hill Road. They also investigated an abandoned vehicle matching the suspect’s car in Seacliff.