One dead after being shot, helicopter searching for three teenage suspects
OCEANSIDE, Calif. – Police are currently searching for three teenage suspects after a shooting in an Oceanside parking lot left one person dead Saturday night, authorities confirmed.
The incident was reported around 4:36 p.m. after an altercation between the suspects, who were 15-year-old boys, and a 29-year-old man in a parking lot on N Redondo Drive near Vandegrift Boulevard, according to Jennifer Atenza Oceanside Police Department.
As the argument escalated, the youths fired several shots. The victim suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
All three suspects then fled the scene. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office ASTREA helicopter assisted officers in the search throughout the evening.
Details of what led to the shooting remain under investigation by OPD. However, it is currently assumed that this is an isolated case that may have a gang connection, said Atenza.
As of 8 p.m., the suspects remain at large. OPD says there is no ongoing threat to the community at this time.
The first suspect was last seen with a long ponytail and was wearing a black long-sleeved shirt, gray pants and white shoes. He was armed with a semi-automatic pistol, OPD said.
The second suspect was also described as having a long, dark brown ponytail. He was last seen wearing a white long sleeve shirt under a black shirt and long dark pants.
The third suspect was last seen wearing a black baseball cap with white writing on the front and a black hoodie with the sleeves rolled up. He was also carrying a red backpack, authorities said.
Atenza said the shooting was unrelated to another incident Saturday in Carlsbad in which a 16-year-old suffered non-life-threatening injuries from a police officer’s gunshot.
“It is concerning when you hear about young teenagers walking around with firearms,” she added.
Members of the public are asked to call OPD detectives at 760-435-4900 if they have any information about the incident or the whereabouts of the suspects.
