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Deputies Investigate Suspicious Devices in Trailer

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Deputies investigated some suspicious devices discovered in Valley Center Wednesday.

According to officials, the devices were found in the 14900 block of Oakvale Road and Lake Wohlford Road just after 3 p.m.

Cal Fire officials, as well as deputies from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department were called to the scene to investigate. Deputies say a landlord was clearing out an old trailer when the landlord found devices resembling several pipe bombs.

Bomb arson detectives were called to evaluate the devices and determine whether or not they pose any danger.

Several surrounding trailers in the area have been evacuated as a precaution, deputies said.

Check back for updates on this developing story.

 


Chicago Priest, Novelist Greeley Passes Away

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Best-selling novelist and Chicago Sun-Times columnist Rev. Andrew Greeley has passed away. He was 85.

Greeley, a prolific priest, sociologist and long-time NBC analyst, wrote more than 50 novels, including international mystery thrillers that were translated into 12 languages.

In a statement, his family said their lives "have been tremendously enriched by having the presence of Fr. Andrew Greeley in our family."

"He served the Church all those years with a prophetic voice and with unfailing dedication, and the Church he and our parents taught us to love is a better place because of him. Our hearts are heavy with grief, but we find hope in the promise of Heaven that our uncle spent his life proclaiming to us, his friends, his parishioners and his many fans. He resides now with the Lord of the Dance, and that dance will go on."

Greeley was known for his conviction. During the priest sex abuse crisis as early as 1991, he was one of the very few priests who criticized the church leadership for refusing to disclose priest accusations.

In 2010, Greeley released a study based on a poll of more than 500 Illinois Catholics that found their faith is still burning brightly with 78 percent of respondents saying Catholicism is either “extremely important” or “very important” in their lives.

While Greeley had an uneasy relationship with Cardinal John Cody and Joseph Bernardin, Cardinal Francis George reached out to him and they attended the opera together. Greeley lived in the John Hancock building but also had homes in Grand Beach Michigan and Arizona. His Saturday afternoon Mass in Grand Beach was often filled with sun bathers who came in their beach attire. 

Greeley was involved in an accident in November 2008 from which he never fully recovered. His jacket got caught in a cab door, and as the vehicle pulled away, the priest fell to the ground and hit his head, fracturing his skull. The fracture left him in critical condition.

A California couple in town for a wedding is credited with saving the priest, calling 911 and staying with him until paramedics arrived.

Before the incident, Greeley had lectured at the Religious Education Association conference in Rosemont and was described by the association executive secretary as "very generous and very funny."
 

Pursuit Ends with Crash at I-805 Off-Ramp

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Chula Vista police say around 9:30 p.m. they tried to pull over a driver near Olympic Parkway and the Interstate 805 for driving erratically. NBC 7's Mark Mullen reports.

Even With Cancer, Girl Still Thinks of Others

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Mollie Musgrove, 7, has suffered from skin cancer most of her life. That experience promoted the San Diego girl to donate her hair to children who don't have hair. NBC 7's Greg Bledsoe reports.

Woman Attacked by Bear While Protecting Dog

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A West Hartford, Conn., woman was attacked by a bear on Wednesday morning while trying to protect her dog.

Sharon Flannery, of 49 Avondale Road, called police at 7:30 a.m. and said a black bear and its two cubs had wandered into her yard and attempted to attack her dog, Maggie. The 200-pound female bear chased the dog as it ran toward the house, Flannery told police.

“It was definitely the scariest thing that's ever happened to me. Before my brain even processed that it was a bear, it was in front of me,” Flannery said.

She had just put Maggie in the backyard on Monday morning when the wild animal tried to chase down her pet.

"Maggie came running right out of those bushes, jumped onto the fountain, and jumped down and beelined it into the house," Flannery said.

Flannery ran to the back door, and within seconds, the bear tried to force its way inside, she said.

“The bear was right there, then it was here and then it was standing right in front of me,” Flannery said.

The homeowner said the bear was relentless, and she knew she had to do something. “I screamed and I yelled. It started poking its head in, so then I kicked it,” Flannery said.

Flannery suffered a puncture wound and several scratches to her lower leg as she kicked the bear to protect her dog. 

“I didn't even notice that there was blood on my ankle until I had closed the door and I was yelling about the bear [almost] coming into the house. I looked down because then it did start to hurt and I was like 'Oh my God, I think the bear bit me,'” Flannery recalled.

She was able to get her dog inside and call police.

The bear and its cubs ran from Flannery's yard and climbed a tree in a nearby yard.

Police and officers from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection responded and tranquilized the bear and the bear cubs. 

“The gravity of this incident is very unusual,” Susan Whalen, of the D.E.E.P., said.

The bear was euthanized and tested for rabies as a precaution, according to state officials.

The cubs were deemed old enough to survive on their own and will be released into another area, officials said.

Flannery was treated for her injuries and released from a medical facility.

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Photo Credit: Sharon Flannery

Tiger Woods' Life and Times

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Tiger Woods was all smiles as he walked up the fairway during the pro-am Memorial Day golf tournament in Dublin, Ohio. Woods, the world's No. 1-ranked player, will be trying to win his 15th career major championship and his first in five years when the U.S. Open heads to Merion Golf Club outside of Philadelphia. Click to see more of his life and times.

Stults Stifles Mariners

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Padres starter Eric Stults provided the pitching. Third baseman Chase Headley provided the power. Outfielder Will Venable provided the pizzazz. Add 'em all up and it equalled a Padres win.

Special Section: San Diego Padres

Headley hit a first inning 411-foot blast that found the upper deck in right field. His solo shot off Joe Saunders gave the Padres an early 1-0 lead.

Stults pitched a masterful game for the Padres. He struck out the side twice. Stults fanned 12, allowing no walks. That feat had only been accomplished twice before (Andy Benes-1994 / Sterling Hitchcock-1998) in club history.

The game was tied at one heading into the ninth inning. Huston Street came in relief of Stults and promptly gave up a home run to Jason Bay, the first batter he faced.

Trailing 2-1 the Padres managed to tie the game up in the bottom of the ninth. In the tenth inning Will Venable won it with a bases loaded single.

Thursday's game is the final of a home and home four game series. First pitch at Petco Park is scheduled for 12:40 p.m.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

School District Seeks to Operate New Swimming Pools

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The San Diego Unified School District Board of Education is hoping to partner with the YMCA or another organization to maintain and operate some brand-new swimming pools.

With some creative financing and partnering, the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) could build as many as 10 new pools.

Right now, the SDUSD’s only swimming pool is the one at La Jolla High School, which was built with private funds and is maintained through the school’s foundation.

Proposition Z, the $2.8 million bond approved by local voters in November, included additional swimming pools for the district. School Board member Scott Barnett helped bring the proposal to the board.

At this point, Barnett says the district has the money through the bond to build the pools, but does not have the money to operate and maintain the pools.

Therein lies the potential partnership.

The school district is hoping the YMCA, or the Boys and Girls Club, or any non-profit organization will consider making a deal.

“So [the district] is building the pool that [the YMCA or other non-profit] would otherwise have to build to serve their members. It just so happens the pool will also serve our kids, our sports teams and the broader community,” explained Barnett. “So they get a lot. They get a free pool for which they would have to pay for perpetual maintenance operations, maintenance and insurance. So that’s a win-win.”

The process is just starting, and the board voted on Tuesday night to send the idea to staff for additional input.

The goal is to build five pools initially, later expanding to 10 pools in total, in a deal that works for students and taxpayers.

Madison, Patrick Henry and Mira Mesa High Schools would all have pools built on or close to campus. San Diego High School has very little room to build, so to serve students there, a swimming pool would be built at nearby Roosevelt Middle School.

For students at Mission Bay High School, where space is also limited, there would be a pool built at Pacific Beach Middle School, according to the board.

Without the partnership with the YMCA or another non-profit, the pool plan will likely not pan out.

“That costs a lot of money and we have higher priorities than that,” said Barnett.

But, if the partnership works out, it may just be a perfect match for all.

“So the bottom line is we’re going to fill a need for the schools, we’re going to give opportunities for kids who may have never dipped their toes in pools, to be able to swim and learn to swim. And, we will not have additional costs to the taxpayers,” added Barnett. “What’s the point of building facilities if I know that when it comes to budget cuts in future years, they’re just going to be on the chopping block? I want to make this recession-proof and work for everybody.”

The board will soon draft up requirements for proposals from organizations that might want to make a deal.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Dog Owner Charged With Murder in Deadly Mauling

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A dog owner arrested Thursday was charged with murder in an attack involving a frenzied pack of dogs that killed a 63-year-old woman who suffered more than 150 puncture wounds in the mauling.

Pamela Devitt was attacked on the morning of May 9 by dogs in on a Littlerock road in the southeastern Antelope Valley, northeast of Los Angeles.

Hours after the attack, authorities served a search warrant on a nearby home, confiscated eight dogs and arrested their owner on suspicion of growing marijuana. Six pit bulls and two mixed breed dogs — some with blood on their coats and muzzles — were taken from the home of Alex Jackson, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

DNA tests on the blood confirmed that it was that of the victim, which led investigators to the 29-year-old Jackson, who was charged Wednesday with murder. He was arrested Thursday at his home and bail was set at $1.5 million.

Arraignment is scheduled for Friday. If convicted, Jackson, pictured below, faces life in prison. A spokeswoman for the DA's office could not confirm the murder charge is the first involving a dog mauling, but said officials with the office could not recall a case within the last decade. 

Authorities have received at least three other reports of attacks involving Jackson's dogs since January, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office.

The attack occurred near the intersection of 115th Street East and Avenue S (map), a flat, desolate intersection in the community just east of Palmdale.

Investigators determined that Devitt suffered 150 to 200 puncture wounds in the attack before a passerby called 911 and a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy chased the dogs. The woman was pronounced dead at a hospital.

The coroner's office determined that the cause of death was blood loss attributed to sharp force trauma.

Devitt's husband, Benjamin Devitt, said his wife began taking walks in the desert for fun and for her health. After he returned home from work on Thursday, sheriff's deputies knocked on his door and showed him an iPod, saying they were trying to identify its owners.

The device belonged to his wife.

When he was interviewed after the attack, Devitt told reporters he blames the owner -- not the dogs.

"You get caught up in somebody else's irresponsibility and these kinds of tragic, devastating things happen," he said.

Jackson also faces drug charges in connection with the discovery of the marijuana grow operation, according to the DA's office.
 

Researchers Discover New Immune System

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A San Diego State University biology researcher discovered immunity defense in an unlikely place: Mucus.

Jeremy Barr, 27, and his research team found that mucus is home to a powerful immune system that could change the way doctors treat a number of diseases. The researchers believe that it protects humans and animals from infection.

How it works: Bacteriophage, a bacteria-infecting virus, is housed inside protective layers of mucus. The body then uses bacteriophage to protect itself from infection when it adheres itself to the mucus layer, providing immunity called Bacteriophage Adhesion to Mucus (BAM). Sounds gross, but Barr says it’s a big win for the science community.

“This discovery not only proposes a new immune system but also demonstrates the first symbiotic relationship between phage and animals,” Barr said in a statement. “It will have a significant impact across numerous fields.”


Rendering courtesy of Jeremy Barr

So BAM has always been there, we just didn’t know about it until now. Barr and his team sampled mucus from animals and humans, which found that bacteriophage adheres to the mucus layer on all of them. He’s calling it a “new model of immunity which emphasizes the important role bacteriophage play in protecting the body from invading pathogens.”

To confirm BAM existed, the team also tested life forms that didn’t have bacteriophage. Turns out without BAM, cells had three times the amount of death.  

“The research could be applied to any mucosal surface,” Barr said. “We envision BAM influencing the prevention and treatment of mucosal infections seen in the gut and lungs, having applications for phage therapy and even directly interacting with the human immune system.”

Barr’s research was recently published in the May Early Edition of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Starting in July, Barr will become an assistant research professor of biology at SDSU and the grant for this research team was made possible by the National Institutes of Health.



Photo Credit: Courtesy of SDSU

Car "Like a Missile" in 4S Ranch Crash

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A high-speed collision happened Wednesday at the intersection of 4-S Ranch Parkway and Camino Del Norte. A witness whose wife was involved in this collision spoke to NBC7's Dave Summers shortly after the crash.

Preview: 2013 San Diego County Fair

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Summer is around the corner, which can only mean one thing: the 2013 San Diego County Fair is headed to Del Mar.

This year, fair season runs for 24 days -- from Jun. 8 through Jul. 4. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The fair is closed on Mondays, except July 1.

The theme is “Game On!” and will spotlight classic and nostalgic games, from board games and pinball, to TV, video and computer games, with a focus on how these have evolved over the years. The fair’s main “Game On!” exhibit will include a 10-foot “Monopoly” board and larger-than-life versions of dominos, chess and four-in-a-row for visitors to play.

Admission to the fair this year is $14 for adults, $8 for seniors 62 and older, $8 for kids ages 6 to 12 and free for children 5 and younger.

Besides rides, games and other daily activities, the fair will host several special events during its run this year, including the Big Bite Bacon Fest scheduled for Jun. 16, the San Diego County Fair Wine Festival on Jun. 15, the San Diego International Beer Festival scheduled for Jun. 21-23 and the Gospel Festival on Jun. 29.

The Bacon Fest will showcase endless bacon samples and craft beer samples. Tickets for the pig-out start at $55, which includes fair admission.

Tickets to the Fair Wine Festival cost $58, which includes fair admission, a souvenir tasting glass and unlimited one-ounce samples of wine to taste. Tickets to a session of the Beer Festival cost $55 and include a souvenir cup and samples of more than 300 beers.

Of course, it wouldn’t be the fair without tons of live entertainment hitting center stage. The 2013 San Diego County Fair concert lineup was released earlier this month, and includes notable headliners such as the Beach Boys (Jun. 8), Train (Jun. 27), the Steve Miller Band (Jun. 15) and San Diegan-turned-pop star Adam Lambert (Jul. 2).

For more on the musical line-up, click here.

Finally, those looking forward to indulging in different foods at the fair certainly won’t leave hungry.

Gloriously unhealthy fair foods offered this year in Del Mar include Deep-fried cookie dough, a Krispy Crème Sloppy Joe sandwich, bacon beer, wild boar kebabs, a mac-and-cheese melt sandwich, deep-fried bacon-wrapped pickles and more.

For an up-close look at these fair foods, click here.

And, for more details and information about the 2013 San Diego County Fair, visit this website.
 



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Teen Texting May Be Cause in Motorcycle Cop Crash: CHP

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A Chula Vista motorcycle officer was hospitalized after getting ejected from his bike in an accident in Ramona.

Nathaniel Walker, 33, underwent surgery at Palomar Medical Center Wednesday night after he was struck by a driver along State Route 78

The 8-year-veteran officer has serious injuries, but Chula Vista Police say he’s expected to make a full recovery.

“He’s fortunate to be alive,” said Chula Vista police Capt. Gary Wedge. “He is in tremendous pain.”

Walker was expected to remain hospitalized for several days.

Investigators say a teenage driver was driving on a provisional license and may have been texting leading up to the collision.

"Any charges or citations will be determined at the conclusion of the investigation. It’s too early to speculate, but I can tell you that there's evidence to indicate she was using her telephone via text just prior to the collision," said CHP Officer Brian Pennings.

A 61-year-old driver in a Chevy HHR going east on SR-78 was trying to turn left onto Earlham Street, when a 17-year-old girl failed to stop behind him according to CHP officers.

The HHR crossed into oncoming traffic right in front of Walker’s motorcycle.

“The officer had no time to react. He collided with the right front of the HHR. The force of the collision ejected him from the motorcycle in the air. He landed in the windshield of the Ford Fusion,” Officer Brian Pennings said.

The drivers in both vehicles were also transported to a nearby hospital with moderate injuries.

Walker was assisting instructors in a motorcycle academy for new motor officers. Wednesday’s exercise was the longest ride of the course.

Officers from all over San Diego County showed support for the officer who has been a part of the Chula Vista motorcycle unit for 3 years.

Fellow officers showed up throughout the night, pulling for his recovery.

“The support has been tremendous. As you can imagine, he’s a part of the family, part of the law enforcement family. Not just Chula Vista Officers. Other agencies have been by to show their support,” Wedge said.

On Thursday, Capt. Wedge said Walker was now out of surgery, but still in a lot of pain. The Chula Vista Police Department is not releasing the extent of Walker's injuries, only saying that they're significant.

Wedge said Walker could be released from the hospital as early as Friday, but will most likely be released over the weekend.

It could be several months before he returns to work.

Brian Pennings with the CHP said the crash is still under investigation, and will eventually need to be presented to the District Attorney. Depending on the findings from the investigation, the teenager involved in the crash could face anything from misdemeanors to felonies, Pennings said.

Human Skeleton Found Near River

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Officers from the San Diego Police Department were called to the San Diego River on Thursday to investigate reports of human bones near the water.

Police arrived at the scene in the 3900 block of Camino Del Rio North at around 1:15 p.m. to begin their investigation. Officials from the San Diego Fire Department also assisted.

According to SDPD homicide Lt. Jorge Duran, investigators discovered an adult human skeleton -- including a skull, femur and teeth – on the dirt near the water about 30 yards down an embankment.

The medical examiner was also called to the scene and determined that the person likely died several years ago. The medical examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death and whether any foul play was involved.

Police say the bones did not appear to have bullet wounds or any other visible marks.

Lt. Duran says the human bones were first reported to authorities on Wednesday by some people fishing in the San Diego River who saw the bones near the water.

Specialists ran some tests on the bones which showed that bones were, in fact, human bones, Lt. Duran said.

Police say the investigation is ongoing. Officials are searching the local missing persons database.

Lt. Duran told NBC 7 the skeleton was likely not discovered until now because it’s in an area with no footpath and hard to see in the midst of shrubs and other debris. The area has also experienced erosion and rain over the years.

This isn't the first time human remains have been found in the river area.

On Feb. 5, 2013, the body of a man, Robert Chesney, was found floating in the San Diego River. The county medical examiner’s office later determined that Chesney had died from stab wounds of the chest.

Back in October 2012, SDPD officials discovered the body of another man floating in the San Diego River somewhere between the 7200 and 7400 blocks of Hazard Center Drive.

Check back for updates on this developing story.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

"One of the Big Ones" on Course for Earth Fly-By

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A 1.7-mile-wide asteroid on course to sail past Earth this week will make its closest approach Friday before a wide U-turn on the way back toward the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

Meteors, Meteorites and Asteroids | How to Capture an Asteroid

At its closest point to the Earth, asteroid 1998 QE2 will be about 3.6 million miles away -- about 15 times the distance between the Earth and moon. But that comfortable distance -- expected to be reached Friday at 1:59 p.m. PT -- is close enough for astronomers to get a good look at the space rock.

"This is one of the big ones," said Paul Chodas, of NASA's Near-Earth Object Program at Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena. "It's certainly one to keep an eye on."

Friday's approach marks the closest the asteroid will get to Earth for at least the next two centuries. The fly-by allows researchers studying potential threats from space to better understand the asteroid's surface, rotation and other features by using radar (image sequence, right).

Researchers discovered the asteroid about 15 years ago and obtained their first sequence of radar images Thursday, when the asteroid was about 3.75 million miles from Earth.

Nicola Loaring, of the South African Astronomical Society, used JPL's web site to find the asteroid's coordinates Wednesday night. Astronomers around the world provide observations that JPL researchers use to predict the orbit.

"It looked like a star moving across the field," Loaring said. "It was moving very slowly. We knew it was the asteroid because it was moving against the background of the stationary stars."

QE2 -- the name is the product of a standard naming convention and has no connection to the ocean liner -- will not be visible without a powerful telescope. Scientists are using radar facilities in California's Mojave Desert and Puerto Rico to get the best views.

NASA is conducting asteroid events Thursday and Friday. From 11 a.m. to noon PT, the "We the Geeks" Google+ Hangout will focus on how asteroids are identified and what's being done to avoid asteroid-related hazards.

Click here to join the Hangout.

Twitter users can monitor hashtags #asteroidQE2 and #1998QE2 for updates.

The fly-by comes after a 150-foot asteroid -- 2012 DA14 -- passed within 17,200 miles of Earth in April. Another space rock lit up the sky over Russia earlier this year, causing a explosion and sonic boom that shattered glass windows.
 



Photo Credit: NASA

Fire Burning Near Witch Creek

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A vegetation fire is burning near Witch Creek, according to CAL Fire.

Firefighters are on the scene of a 20-acre blaze off state Route 78 that began around 2:15 p.m. Officials said that shortly before 3:20 p.m., the fire stopped spreading.

CAL Fire is calling it the Creek Fire.

No structures are currently threatened and no injuries have been reported.

In October 2007, the Witch Creek Wildfires damaged about 44,000 acres of federal land in the Cleveland National Forest.

Check back for updates on this story.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Beer Can Races Begin

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Sailboats filled San Diego Bay Wednesday for the kickoff of the 34th Annual Beer Can Race Series.

The races first started by a bunch of friends who didn’t want to wait until the weekend according to organizers. They would go out to the bay on Wednesdays, have a few beers and race down to the mark and back.

“Of course now, there’s no drinking. It’s a very serious competition,” spokesperson Stephanie Thompson said. “The drinking is saved for the after-party afterwards.”

Following that tradition, races will take place Wednesdays through Aug. 7 beginning near the center of Harbor Island around 6 p.m. There will be no races July 3.

By the looks of this Flickr gallery, the competition is serious.

The top contestant will earn the coveted Beer Can Trophy. Also, much like the Stanley Cup tradition, the winner in each class will have their boat’s name added to the “Beer Can Winner“ trophy.

Spectators can get a good view from Shelter Island or Harbor Island.

Some of the boats are looking for crewmembers. If you’re interested, you can call the Cortez Racing Association for more information.
 

Gunshot Reported Near Chollas View School

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One person was arrested Thursday after firing a shotgun inside a Chollas View home and prompting the lock down of two nearby schools.

San Diego police received a 911 call reporting the single gunshot at a home near Chollas-Mead Elementary School at 9:05 a.m. Thursday.

School officials issued a precautionary lockdown for the elementary school located nearby on Market Street and a nearby charter school.

San Diego police arrested a 34-year-old man on suspicion of negligent discharge of firearm. The man also had a felony warrant for a probation violation officials said.

The suspect's parents called 911 to their home in the area of 800 44th Street. They told NBC 7 San Diego they heard the gunshot and feared for his safety.

Before the shooting, the son was angry about being unemployed the man’s father told NBC 7.

Officers say the son went into an upstairs bedroom, fired one round with the shotgun and then appeared again in the stairwell.

The man's father said his son has not been taking his medicine and has had trouble sleeping.

The suspect did not resist arrest. Officers say a mental health screening will be conducted after the suspect is booked.

As of 10:45 a.m., the lockdown was no longer in effect.

Sex Offender Sought for Failing to Register Address

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The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department is looking for a convicted sex offender wanted for failing to register his home address, as required by law.

According to officials, convicted sex offender Joseph Ricardo Ramirez – who also goes by the name Ricardo Ayala – hasn’t registered his home address. He's also currently wanted by authorities for felony vandalism.

On Thursday, officials released Ramirez’s photo (see above) in an effort to track his whereabouts.

Deputies say Ramirez is known to frequent Vista, as well as hotels in other parts of the North County. He’s described as having “tribal-like” tattoos on his chest and tattoos that say “Puerto Rico” and “Millie” on his arms.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts should call the Crime Stoppers tip line at (888) 580-8477. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

Earlier this month, deputies from the sheriff's station conducted routine compliance checks on more than three dozen sex offenders who live in the North County. Officials checked in on 36 registered sex offenders living in Encinitas, Solana Beach, Cardiff by the Sea, Del Mar and Rancho Santa Fe, and contacted 31 of those individuals.

To register for a free service that allows you to receive email alerts when a sex offender moves in and out of your neighborhood, visit this website. For more details on sex offenders in your community, visit the Megan’s Law website.

 



Photo Credit: San Diego County Sheriff's Department

Sons Struggle After Seeing Mom's Murder

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Family members described the heartache still felt by two boys whose father stabbed and killed their mother in their Eastlake home more than four years ago.

Jesus Arteaga Garcia, also known as Alex Arteaga, was sentenced to 15 years to life Thursday for the 2009 death of his estranged wife.

Maribel Arteaga, 28, was a Customs and Border Protection Officer who was also two months pregnant when Alex killed her in front of their sons. The boys were 6 and 4 years old when they saw their mother die. One may have seen the stabbing according to the deputy district attorney.

Maribel’s mother and sister spoke at Thursday’s sentencing about the affects the violent murder has had on Arteaga’s sons.

“He continues seeing blood on his hands just as he had that day, the day that you killed her,” Maribel Beltran said of Andy who is now 10.

His brother, Isaac, who was 4 when his mother died, remembers the day it happened and sometimes talks to his mother as if she were standing right in front of him, Beltran told the boys’ father.

The grandmother was brought to tears several times during her statement. She told the defendant his sons not only feel a sense of loss for their mother but of hate toward him.

“They will have the memory of a very sad childhood, empty without a mother that will put them to sleep and will tell them a story,” she said.

“You’ve left them marked forever.”

The victim’s sister, Melissa Castillo, described her former brother-in-law as a “selfish, coldhearted monster who has not showed any emotion or regret throughout this process.”

“Because of this horrible man, my nephews have exchanged the love, comfort and protection of their mother for nightmares, heartache, anxiety and sadness,” she said.

Castillo said the family’s priority is helping the boys overcome the trauma of witnessing such a violent crime.

She said watching the children try and explain to other children why they don’t have a mother is unbearable.

“My biggest fear is that my nephews will forget what she was like,” she told the court through tears. “I will make sure they will never forget how much she loved them.”

When it was Arteaga’s turn to address the court, he said he was supportive of Maribel’s decision to become a Customs and Border Protection agent and thought she would return to their home after graduating the academy.

“I never knew she had another man,” he said. “I never knew she did not love me.”

He offered an apology to both families scarred by his actions.

“I never wanted this for my family,” he said. “I never wanted this to happen. I always wanted the best thing for my family.”

Maribel was able to give a dying declaration to police officers, naming her estranged husband as her attacker.

Alex fled the country and was eventually captured in Tijuana after a yearlong search. Jurors convicted him in February of second-degree murder and child abuse.

Officer Arteaga had been assigned to the Tecate port of entry since May 18, 2009 when she entered on duty with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

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