San Diego, CA — Local authorities reported the arrest of two individuals on Wednesday morning in connection with a violent incident in San Diego’s East Village neighborhood that resulted in the death of a 53-year-old man. The arrest followed a multi-agency operation triggered by the discovery of a van believed to be involved in the crime.
The sequence of events unfolded near Petco Park, where police responding to reports of gunfire around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday located the man suffering from gunshot and stab wounds on the sidewalk at 14th Street and Imperial Avenue. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
In pursuit of the suspects, law enforcement utilized surveillance technology, including a license-plate reader, which helped track down the involved van. The vehicle was spotted traveling on Interstate 5 and was followed by police as it exited onto National Avenue on Wednesday morning.
Upon reaching a Starbucks at the intersection of National and 28th Street, the vehicle’s male and female occupants were apprehended by officers, who had pre-emptively evacuated the establishment as a precaution. The suspects surrendered without resistance and were taken into custody.
According to SDPD Lt. Jud Campbell, an initial investigation indicated that prior to the attack, a confrontation occurred among a group of people gathered on the sidewalk. “The altercation escalated, resulting in one individual shooting the victim and another subsequently stabbing him before the assailants fled in differing directions,” Campbell explained. He further noted that the attackers were reportedly wearing dark-colored clothing.
Campbell also highlighted ongoing efforts by detectives to shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the collection and analysis of physical evidence, canvassing for additional surveillance footage, and conducting witness interviews.
The identity of the deceased has not been disclosed, pending notification of his family.
This incident has prompted heightened security and investigative measures in the vicinity of the attack, as authorities continue to piece together the events that led to this tragic outcome. Community members have been urged to come forward with any information that could assist in the investigation, as the San Diego Police Department works to provide answers and justice for the victim’s family.