Man Fatally Shot In City Heights Parking Lot

SAN DIEGO, CA — A shooting in a parking lot near Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park Thursday left a 20-year-old man dead.

Patrol officers responding to a report of gunfire shortly before 1:30 p.m. found the victim suffering from gunshot wounds outside a shopping center in the 3800 block of Marlborough Avenue, just east of state Route 15 in the Castle neighborhood of City Heights, according to the San Diego Police Department.

Paramedics took the victim to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Detectives have determined that the victim was sitting in a parked car when the killer approached and opened fire on him through the windshield, SDPD Lt. Jud Campbell said. The shooter then ran to a nearby light-colored vehicle, got behind the wheel and drove off.

Preliminary evidence suggested that the victim was specifically targeted by the assailant, described as a man in dark clothing who appeared to be in his 20s, according to police.

The motive for the slaying was unknown.

"It is still very early in the investigation, and detectives are currently canvassing the area, looking for evidence and any witnesses who may be able to assist in solving this crime," Campbell said in the late afternoon.

— City News Service