OCEANSIDE, Calif. (KGTV) — The Oceanside Police Department says it has arrested a 14-year-old boy in connection to a fatal Saturday afternoon shooting that happened in a shopping center parking lot. OPD is still actively searching for two more suspects who had a similar description to the shooter.
Officers responded to a shopping center in the 600 block of North Redondo Road in Oceanside around 4:30 p.m. Saturday after receiving multiple calls about a shooting. First responders found a 29-year-old man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, and they tried to give him medical aid. He was pronounced dead at the scene, OPD says.
Several witnesses told police three Hispanic teens with long ponytails shot the man after getting in an argument with him. The shooter then chased the victim and shot him again. The teens ran away from the area, heading north from the parking lot, police say.
Police set up a perimeter and started canvasing the area. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department helicopter helped look for the criminals as well. According to the press release, officers found the suspected shooter at a nearby home.
OPD's SWAT, crisis negotiation and unmanned aerial support teams responded to arrest the suspect safely, police say. A 14-year-old boy matching the shooter's description witnesses provided exited the home and police arrested him. He was booked into the East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility on a murder charge, the release says.
"The teams all worked together tirelessly through the evening to bring the suspect into custody," OPD says.
Police are still unsure if the victim and suspects knew each other before the shooting happened. The motive and circumstances of the shooting are still under investigation as well.
OPD provided the following descriptions for the other two suspects Saturday evening:
- Hispanic male, about 15 years old with a dark brown ponytail, wearing a white T-shirt under a black shirt and long dark pants
- Hispanic male, about 15 years old wearing a black baseball cap bearing a white logo, a black hooded shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a red backpack
Police says they've identified the victim as an Oceanside resident. His identity won't be released until the family is notified.
The victim, a resident of Oceanside, has been identified, and his information is currently withheld pending family notifications.
If you have any information for OPD about this shooting, reach out to the detective on the case at 760-435-4378. You can stay anonymous with your tip by reaching out to Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
See 10News' original story about the shooting below.
The Oceanside Police Department says it is looking for three suspects following a fatal shooting that happened Saturday afternoon.
According to police, officers responded to the area of North Redondo Drive and Vandergrift Boulevard around 4:30 p.m.
One person was killed in the shooting, and police believe three perpetrators committed the crime.
OPD provided descriptions for the three suspects, who officers believe are all 15-year-old Hispanic boys, on social media around 6:15 p.m. Saturday.
Police said the first suspect has a long ponytail and was wearing a black, long-sleeve shirt, gray pants and white shoes. He was armed with a semi-automatic pistol. The second suspect has a dark brown ponytail, and he was wearing a white T-shirt under a black shirt and long dark pants.
The third suspect was wearing a black baseball cap bearing a white logo, a black hooded shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a red backpack.
OPD says if you see any of the suspects, you should call 911 immediately.
#3 HMJ, 15 YO, WRG BLK BB CAP W/ WHI ON FRONT, BLK HOODED SHIRT W/ SLEEVES ROLLED UP, RED BACKPACK. IF SEEN PLEASE CALL 911.
— Oceanside Police (@OceansidePD) September 10, 2023
