SAN DIEGO — San Diego police are investigating a double shooting near Little Italy and downtown that left three people dead, including the suspect and an officer in the hospital.
Officers said they received a call of a shooting at 8:42 a.m. in the area of Ash Street and Union Street. They found two people shot and dead inside of a parked vehicle. The victims were a man and a woman, both in their late thirties.
After the initial shooting, the San Diego Police's ABLE helicopter was flying over downtown broadcasting the description of the suspect. According to SDPD, two Harbor Police were in the area when a citizen flagged them down and told them that he saw a person ducking behind an electrical box. Based on the ABLE helicopter description, he believed this was the person the police were looking for.
Less than an hour after the initial shooting, at approximately 9:30 a.m., two officers from the Harbor Patrol found and engaged the suspected shooter in Little Italy. A shootout ensued, injuring one officer and injuring the suspect as well.
San Diego Police are now investigating both shootings. According to Harbor Police Chief Magda Fernandez, a Harbor Police Officer was shot in the hip during the shooting. The officer underwent surgery and is expected to survive. Chief Fernandez did not reveal the officer's identity but said he is new to the force.
The suspect, a 26-year-old male, was transported to the hospital but died from his injuries. He passed away around 10 a.m.
Witnesses told police that the suspect was walking down the street in what appeared to be tactical gear.
Initial evidence suggested that the assailant targeted the victims, as opposed to committing a random shooting, SDPD Lt. Jud Campbell said during an afternoon briefing. The lieutenant, however, declined to disclose details on "the relationship between these two victims and the suspect" pending notification of their families.
It also appeared that the suspect prompted the subsequent shootout by opening fire on the officers, according to Campbell.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said there is no current threat to public safety in the area.
San Diego Police are asking the public to avoid the following areas due to the ongoing investigation in downtown San Diego where there are expected to be road closures for the majority of the day on Wednesday.
- Kettner Blvd between W. Ivy & Laurel St.
- Union St between W. Ash St. & W. A St.
- The intersection of Union St. & W. Ash St.
WATCH: SDPD update on shootings in Downtown and Little Italy (Wednesday, Nov 13 at 2:30 p.m.)
WATCH: SDPD Police Chief gives update on shooting in downtown San Diego (Wednesday, Nov 13 at 10:15 a.m.)
WATCH: Downtown and Little Italy Shooting | Port of SD Harbor Police Chief gives update on officer shot (Wednesday, Nov 13 at 12:55 p.m.)