Police search for suspect after two shot, one killed in University City
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Two people were shot in University City Saturday night and one of them died from their injuries, authorities said.
San Diego Police responded to reports of two people down in the street at Nobel Drive and Lombard Place, near the Westfield UTC mall, around 8:40 p.m. Responding officers found one victim in the street and another near a car stopped in front of the entrance to an apartment parking garage.
Oceanside police turn law enforcement vehicle into lowrider
Both victims were suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and were transported to a local hospital. One victim, described by police as a Hispanic man in his 30s, was pronounced dead at the hospital. Detectives are still working to confirm his identity.
The other victim, described by police as a 39-year-old Hispanic man, was reported to be in stable condition at the hospital. He has been identified but his name is being withheld at this time, police said.
SDPD homicide detectives were called to the scene and are handling the investigation.
Based on information gathered so far, authorities said it appears the two victims were in a car together and were entering an apartment parking garage when they were approached by a suspect who was on foot. That person reportedly began firing into the car, striking both victims.
Little suspect information is known at this time, however, police said the individual was seen wearing a light-colored jacket and dark pants. The suspect was last seen fleeing westbound from the area right after the double shooting. According to detectives, it does appear that this was a targeted attack.
On Saturday night, police informed the public that this was not an active shooter situation and the mall was not affected. Nonetheless, a heavy police presence was seen in the area and a helicopter was circling overhead.
Newly released bodycam footage shows fatal police shooting in Escondido
SDPD roped off portions of Nobel Drive to conduct their investigation. Nobel Drive was closed between Genesee Avenue and Towne Centre Drive for several hours.
The suspect was still on the loose as of Sunday morning.
Nearby residents were still shocked of the incident Sunday.
“To hear about a shooting literally right down the road from where you live is obviously very terrifying,” nearby resident Kunal Ahuja said. “I walk this road probably like 4 or 5 times a week, so I just imagine it could happen at pretty much any place, especially a place that seems like a very safe area, it’s just sad and terrifying.”
Another nearby resident, Clive Essakow, as he walked with his dog Sunday afternoon, near where the shooting happened said, “We live very close by and it’s unusual for this sort of an area to have something like this happen, but you never know what happens these days.”
Essakow said he heard the helicopter flying around and listened to the police scanner Saturday night after the shooting.
“It’s a horrible feeling we are standing in a spot where somebody was killed and somebody else was in hospital today. That’s very eerie,” Essakow added.
Anyone with information on this incident can call the Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
Christelle Koumoue and Zara Barker contributed to this report.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
