Juvenile Arrested In North County Drive-By Shooting

VISTA, CA — A juvenile has been arrested in connection with a drive-by shooting that injured a patron at a Vista restaurant earlier this month, authorities said Saturday.

The suspect, an Oceanside resident, was arrested Aug. 18 in cooperation with Oceanside police and booked into San Diego County Juvenile Hall, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office. Authorities said the juvenile was carrying an unserialized firearm at the time of the arrest.

The shooting happened shortly before 7:30 p.m. Aug. 15 in the 400 block of Vista Village Drive. Deputies responding to reports of a drive-by shooting found that a bullet fired from a passing vehicle went through a window at 2N1 Korean BBQ. A patron inside was struck by the gunfire and treated at the scene for non-life-threatening injuries.

Investigators initially had little information about the vehicle involved. The case was later taken over by the Vista Street Narcotics & Gang Team after investigators determined the shooting may have involved a gang-affiliated individual.

Authorities used automated license plate readers to develop leads and identify the vehicle. Detectives located the suspect's vehicle Aug. 21 using the license plate reader system.

The investigation remains active. Detectives were working with the San Diego County District Attorney's Office.

Anyone with information was asked to call the Vista Sheriff's Station at 760-940-4551. Anonymous tips can be submitted to San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477 or through sdcrimestoppers.org.