SOQUEL >> After a nine-hour search, Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a Watsonville man early Tuesday on suspicion of first-degree murder and attempted murder in connection with a double shooting that occurred on North Rodeo Gulch on Monday.

Jose Ramos, 31, was arrested on the 3000 block of Porter Street in Soquel at 11:15 p.m. Monday.

Ramos is suspected in the shooting death of Santiago Avalos Sanchez, 28, of Soquel.

Sanchez died in a hospital hours after the shooting occurred at 2:30 p.m. Monday, according to Sgt. Chris Clark of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office.

Ramos is also suspected of shooting Maria Ponce Rocha, 32, of Watsonville, in the back. As of Tuesday morning, she was in critical condition, Clark said.

Ramos knew Rocha, Clark said. However, a motive for the shooting remains unclear.

“Right now we honestly don’t what they were doing there. Any attempt at establishing motive would be speculation right now,” Clark said.

Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputies pursued a lead to the arrest location on Porter Street, Clark said. They found Ramos in possession of methamphetamine and a methamphetamine pipe.

A wrapped object was also found near Ramos and is being examined by forensic criminalists to determine if it is a gun or other item, according to Clark.

After the shooting, Ramos allegedly fled in a white Honda rental car registered in his name, according to Clark. A witness reported hearing six gunshots, although Clark could not confirm this.

Multiple shell casings were discovered at the scene of the shooting. Both victims also suffered multiple gunshots, Clark said.

“An autopsy is under way on Mr. Sanchez.” Clark said. “We will release the manner and cause of death in a few days.”

Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputies and CHP officers closed Soquel Drive and North Rodeo Gulch Road during the investigation Monday.

At the scene, a dark blue Honda Accord that had been driven by one of the victims had crashed into a road sign on North Rodeo Gulch Road.

Jose Luis Ramos was arrested for the murder of Santiago Avalos Sanchez, attempted murder of Maria Ponce Rocha and was booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail. Ramos’s bail is currently set at $2 million dollars. Clark expects the suspect to be arraigned by the end of the week.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office asks anyone with information to call 831-471-1121.