California

Multi-Agency Search for Missing Vallejo Teen Pearl Pinson Enters Third Day

Officials from several law enforcement agencies combed through 25 square miles in Sonoma County Saturday as the search for missing Vallejo teenager Pearl Pinson entered its third day.

Efforts are focused in the area of Willow Creek, a tributary to the lower Russian River. Solano County sheriff's deputies took to Facebook to report that the California State Parks and agencies in Sonoma, Mendocino and Marin have contributed to a group of more than 65 people who are searching for 15-year-old Pinson on the ground as well as from the air and in the water.

Crews were out searching Saturday near small coastal town of Jenner -- the second and last day that area will be searched -- after investigators picked up a lead that led them to the tiny Sonoma County town. 

Family and friends are not giving up hope that Pinson will be found alive. They have been searching the Vallejo area near the overpass where the girl was last seen. Her sister told NBC Bay Area that a small prayer vigil will be held sometime Sunday evening in Vallejo. 

Her father said they are not giving up. 

”We don’t know what happened, or if she’s alive or if she’s passed," Pinson's father said. "We don’t know." 

Investigators believe the teenager was kidnapped Wednesday morning as she walked to a school bus stop in Vallejo. Her suspected abductor was an acquaintance —19-year-old Fernando Castro — who was killed in a shootout 300 miles away in Santa Barbara County Thursday, authorities said.

Pinson has green hair and was last seen wearing a gray sweater, black leggings and had a black and turquoise backpack. Her family has set up a GoFundMe account to help with their search.

"Our number one priority is bringing Pearl home safely to her family and we do believe that is possible," said Christine Castillo, with the Solano County Sheriff's Department

The search for Pinson started Wednesday morning when the Solano County Sheriff's Office said they received reports of shots fired near the Interstate Highway 780 pedestrian over-crossing in the area of Home Acres and Taylor avenues in Vallejo.

A witness reported seeing a man with a gun pulling a female, who was bleeding and yelling for help, on the over-crossing. The witness heard a gunshot while running for help, and responding deputies found blood on the ground, said sheriff's officials, who have not yet spoken about whether Pinson was shot or the extent of her injuries.

As of Friday evening, the overpass is the site of a growing memorial where people have placed pearls for Pearl Pinson.

Castro was spotted in San Luis Obispo County on Thursday after the California Highway Patrol had issued an Amber Alert for Pinson. CHP officers pursued him into Santa Barbara County, over 300 miles south of the scene of the suspected abduction in Vallejo.

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