A 27-year-old pulled from the water near the Ocean Beach Pier Friday night has died, the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) confirmed.

The call came in around 9:30 p.m. on Niagara Avenue near the pier, police said.

The man and his girlfriend were walking on the pier when they got into some sort of disagreement with two people. Police said it was not a physical altercation.

At one point, the two people threw the man's stuff over the pier.

The man jumped over the pier to retrieve his belongings and had trouble in the water, police said.

During a search, police said lifeguards located him from above but lost him in the water. They were able to recover his body after locating him a second time.

He was in the water for long period of time and did not survive.

The man lived out of state, according to police. 

No other information was available.

Please refresh this page for updates on this developing story. Details may change as more information becomes available.

Global tech companies take a break from churning out profits once a year to have fun with their customers on April Fools' Day, NBC News reported. 

This year, Amazon introduced "Petlexa," a gag that would ostensibly allow pets to interact with the company's Alexa product. 

T-Mobile, which likes to talk about its complete network coverage, touted a wearable magenta onesie that would make CEO John Legere proud.

"You'll look hot as an unlimited human hotspot," a fake commercial promises.

And food delivery service DoorDash introduced "Meal Override Mode," or M.O.M.

In the feature, children have to practice math when ordering food, are forced to add at least one handful of veggies to their order and while they wait for delivery, will be given a list of chores they can do and the estimated time it will take to do them.

April the giraffe has held out for her namesake month to deliver her world-famous calf.

It would be fitting for the long-necked beauty to give birth on April Fools' Day after all the false alarms she has thrust upon her tens of millions of admirers. Indeed, members of her fan club will have to sit tight just a little bit longer after weeks of waiting for what may be the most globally anticipated giraffe birth in history.

The wildly popular livestream went down intermittently Saturday morning, but the zoo insisted it was "not the hoax many anticipated." Nearly 240,000 people were watching Saturday afternoon, as April paced in her pen ans swished her tail. 

The zoo reported Saturday afternoon that April refused to eat her grain, but was nibbling on carrots. 

The vet is watching for behavior including lifting each leg, pinning her ears, dazing off and raising her tail, the zoo said. 

The zoo also posted a close-up photo of her udders to show how her milk was progressing. 

April already held out longer than her keepers anticipated. The upstate New York zoo livestreaming her pregnancy writing Friday morning that "all observations, behavior and predictions suggest a calf today or tonight."

"We would be shocked to get through the weekend without our newest addition," the Animal Adventure Park wrote. "The staff have been onsite with April all morning, Dr Tim was called and onsite within minutes. This is what we have all been waiting for!"

The zoo said it hoped to launch a text alert system to notify people when April went into active labor, though it wasn't clear if it would be up and running in time.

Watch the live stream below.

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When April goes into active labor, the baby's front hoofs will be the first to come out, followed by the snout, the zoo says.

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Mom will naturally raise the calf on her own, and weaning could take between six to 10 months, maybe even longer -- the zoo says it won't rush the process. Once weaning is over, the baby giraffe will move on to another facility to start a breeding program there.

"We cannot retain offspring, as it would lead to incestuous mating and undermine the genetics of the program and species," the zoo says.

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This is 15-year-old April's fourth calf. It'll be the first for Oliver. He won't take any part in rearing the calf, though. Male giraffes, called bulls, really only care about two things, the zoo says: "fighting and the unmentionable."

"He is a bull -- and a bull is a bull is a bull!" the zoo says.

April's pregnancy was catapulted into global headlines late last month after YouTube briefly yanked the zoo's stream following complaints by animal activists that it violated the site's policies concerning "nudity and sexual content." Thousands upon thousands of commenters voiced their frustration on Facebook and YouTube, and the stream was restored within an hour or so.

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Jordan Patch, owner of the Animal Adventure Park, says the natural curiosity surrounding giraffes and their birthing process has been a huge factor in drawing crowds.

"I think the fact that she's a giraffe and she's a neat species that people are interested in, that's fostered a lot of the attention," he said. "The fact that you're gonna get to witness the miracle of birth from an animal that you really don't get to see give birth — that's neat."

He added that April's pregnancy is not just live entertainment, but a teachable moment and source for education. This is the zoo's first giraffe calf.

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Giraffe pregnancies last up to 15 months. Labor lasts anywhere from a few hours to a few days. The calf, which will be the first born at Animal Adventure Park, will be about 150 pounds and 6 feet tall at birth and up and walking in about an hour.

The zoo said it will hold an online competition to name the baby giraffe once it's born.

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New data released by the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) shows the force’s new ShotSpotter technology reports three times as many shootings than are called in to 911.

Still some members of the community say those numbers could change if the community had a better relationship with the police.

“On one hand I think it's good technology that can help keep our community safe. On the other hand, depending on how it's used, it could be a bad thing. We've seen that happen before,” said Calvin Clayton.

Clayton’s sentiment is representative of a lot of skepticism found in Encanto among residents.

“You put these shot spotters up in any city and it's probably going to show that they heard more shootings than were reported,” said community activist Bishop Cornelius Bowser.

Bowser has been vocal in opposition to the program since becoming aware of it. His biggest objections are the collection of data and the way it was rolled out. He said police did not properly notify the community.

“If they feel that there’s more violence here, or you're getting calls saying that people are scared, then let's have a conversation. The way we solve our problems is sitting down together,” he said.

Still, others see a benefit.

“Sometimes in neighborhoods like this, we do need it,” said Jony Gutierrez.

He’s a barber in Encanto. Just a week ago, he says a group of men threatened to shoot him after a fight.

But he made a critical point with this technology.

“Once it happens, it happens. It's already been done. But I guess it will be easier for the authorities to find whoever was responsible,” he said.

SDPD told NBC 7, since this new technology was implemented around Thanksgiving last year, it shows about 75 percent of shootings in these neighborhoods go unreported. And they say it’s very accurate.

It can triangulate down to a 10 to 15-foot radius of where a gunshot went off.

As to the question of why this community was chosen, police said gun violence was up last year and they wanted to test in an area with significant crime rates.

The program is slated to last a year.

Currently, the department said it is funded through forfeitures.

SDPD said it will then use public input to determine if they will continue after the year is up.

The San Diego Padres invited fans to come out to Petco Park Saturday for the team's annual FanFest, a celebration of all things baseball as the 2017 MLB season swings in.

The free, family-friendly event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the downtown ballpark. As always, admission is free, but you have to pre-register online for passes (you can get up to eight). Here's the link for that.

Entrance points include Petco Park's Home Plate, East Village and Gaslamp gates. Free parking is available in Padres-owned lots around the ballpark on a first-come, first served basis. Those lots will fill up, so public transit may be a better option.

On the events lineup this year: traditional treats like autograph sessions with Padres players, coaches, broadcasters and alumni, plus the annual Garage Sale where fans can buy hard-to-find Padres items like game-used jerseys, batting helmets and 2016 All-Star Game memorabilia. Proceeds go to the Padres Foundation.

At 11 a.m., a Q&A session goes down with Padres players, coaches, executives and broadcasters on the Park at the Park stage. Fans can also the recently opened Padres Hall of Fame located on K Street behind the left field seating area.

The Park at the Park will hold a series of KidsFest activities and Padres players will hold a special clinic at the whiffle ball field. Starting at 1 p.m. fans can watch the team take batting practice with a twist. Some batting practice balls will have unique marks on them and can be turned in for a special prize. The outfield grandstand seats will be open for the session, after which kids will have the opportunity to run the bases on the field.

Hundreds of teens battling cancer celebrated their courage Friday during the 11th annual "Unforgettable Prom" in Balboa Park.

The event is funded by Friends of Scott Foundation, a San Diego-based non-profit organization founded in memory of Scott Delgadillo, who lost his battle with leukemia at the age of 14.

The prom was organized for teenagers who have battled Leukemia and other cancers.

Subeida Garcia, 19, found out she had osteosarcoma last year.

“It was pretty hard,” Garcia said. “Not only on me but like on all of my family. I had a one-year-old and I also had my boyfriend.”

Garcia had to have her leg amputated at the hip and spent three months in the hospital recovering.

“It was really hard on all of us. My mom had to quit her job to take care of me,” she told NBC 7.

She said she had to re-learn all of her daily tasks.

“It’s very different. I have to learn to be normal again and do the routine, to start school and maybe working," she added.

Garcia said Friday night's prom was a step away from everything.

"We’re having a break away from everything. Just having fun, enjoying life, enjoying the moment.”

Residents in San Diego’s South Bay reported feeling an earthquake that rattled Baja California Friday night, striking near Tijuana, Mexico.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake – a 3.5-magnitude rattler, 10.5 kilometers in depth – hit south of the border at 11:40 p.m. Friday. It was centered 3.1 miles southeast of Tijuana. Residents in Chula Vista, Eastlake, Otay Ranch and Imperial Beach told NBC 7 it was strongly felt in their communities.

Chula Vista Jenn Pavlov said she first heard rumbling, then felt the movement.

Sunny Rodriguez described a similar experience: "It started with a low rumble, then the house shook hard once side to side," Rodriguez told NBC 7 on Facebook.

The USGS said the epicenter of the earthquake was about five miles from San Ysidro and less than 10 miles from Chula Vista.

No damage or injuries were reported.

Eastlake resident Amber Fournier told NBC 7 she felt a “huge jolt” hit her home.

“It almost felt like an explosion and I jumped up. I was in bed; I started hitting my husband, like, ‘What is going on?’” Fournier said.

She said the jolt lasted only a few seconds. Her kids slept right through it.

Eastlake resident Michelle Portilla also described the temblor as quick.

“I heard the noise first,” Portilla recalled. “I felt like someone was shaking the walls and then I felt kind of like a wave. [It was] very quick though.”

Portilla said her children didn’t feel the quake, but her husband did – although for him, it was no big deal.

Residents in other parts of the county reported feeling the earthquake, too, including in Spring Valley, Lakeside, El Cajon and Rancho San Diego.

El Cajon resident Heidi Lee told NBC 7 the quake "felt like a giant gave our house a good swift kick."

Did you feel the earthquake in your neck of the woods? Share in the comments section below.

There’s a blue and green flag on display this month outside San Diego’s Sharp Memorial Hospital – a symbol of organ donors and recipients around the world, and the importance of “donating life.”

Saturday marks the beginning of “Donate Life” month, a time to remember organ donors locally and across the world. On Friday, at a 4th annual ceremony, Sharp Memorial Hospital raised a blue and green flag – the colors associated with the special month – meant to serve as a reminder of the importance of organ donation and to call attention to the need for more organ donors.

The blue and green won’t end there. The patient building at Sharp Memorial will be lit up in the colors during the entire month of April, too.

The gesture hits close to one local woman’s heart.

Carol Rice received a heart transplant at Sharp Memorial Hospital, giving her a second chance at life.

“It’s been 15 years, since I received the gift of life from a perfect stranger,” she said at Friday’s ceremony. "My donor's family said 'yes' to donation when their loved one died. I have a resposibility to take care of my heart."

Eleven months after the procedure, Rice met her husband and fell in love.

Currently in San Diego, there are more than 2,000 people on the U.S. organ donor wait list, according to Sharp Memorial Hospital.

Last year, San Diegans who donated their organs saved a total of 363 lives -- the most lives ever saved here in one year – Sharp Memorial said. While many lives in San Diego were saved through organ donation, 71 people still died waiting for organs.

“Donate Life” month pays tribute to those who have died, and encourages more people to become donors. As an organ donor, Sharp Memorial Hospital said one person can save up to eight lives; as a tissue donor, a person can save up to 50 lives.

You can become an organ donor by joining the Donate Life California Registry by checking “yes” at the DMV when applying for a driver’s license or ID card. You can also sign up online at the Donate Life California or Done VIDA California websites, or via the “Health” up on an iPhone.

The San Diego Padres have finalized their 2017 Opening Day roster. As expected it is young and interesting. Here's the squad they'll take to Los Angeles on Monday:

PITCHERS (12)

• RHP Jhoulys Chacin
• LHP Clayton Richard
• RHP Trevor Cahill
• RHP Jered Weaver
• RHP Luis Perdomo
• RHP Brandon Maurer
• LHP Ryan Buchter
• RHP Jarred Cosart
• LHP Brad Hand
• RHP Craig Stammen
• LHP Jose Torres
• RHP Miguel Diaz (Rule 5 draftee)

Not many surprises in this group although RHP Phil Maton impressed in Spring Training. He and his 96-MPH heater will be in El Paso to continue learning how to be a closer.

CATCHERS (4)

• Austin Hedges
• Christian Bethancourt
• Hector Sanchez
• Luis Torrens (Rule 5 draftee)

Bethancourt is basically going to be the 8th relief pitcher so he's the emergency backup to the emergency backup catcher. Hedges is the undisputed starter. They want to hang on to Torrens because the kid was one of the top prospects in the incredibly deep Yankees system. He’s on 20 years old, though, and since Hedges is just 31 at-bats over the rookie limit they need another veteran in the mix. Sanchez has done a nice job filling that role.

INFIELDERS (6)

• Wil Myers
• Yangervis Solarte
• Erick Aybar
• Luis Sardinas
• Ryan Schimpf
• Allen Cordoba (Rule 5 draftee)

They also want to hang on to Cordoba because the kid was one of the top prospects in the incredibly deep Cardinals system. Sardinas made it over Cory Spangenberg because they need an experienced backup at SS to give Aybar a breather. Now I know what you’re thinking. If they have six infielders then that only leaves them three roster spots left. This is where position flexibility is likely going to come in handy.

OUTFIELDERS (3)

• Manuel Margot
• Hunter Renfroe
• Travis Jankowski

Keep in mind Bethancourt, Cordoba and Myers can all play the outfield, as well, and Solarte can back up Myers at 1st if Wil has to spell someone at his old spot.

It's nice to see the team keep Margot up. There was talk of him starting the year at El Paso due to service time concerns but he earned his roster spot.

The Padres will have three Rule 5 draftees on the roster and a total of six rookies (Diaz, Torrens, Cordoba, Torres, Renfroe, and Margot) in the mix. Padres General Manager A.J. Preller is still in the talent accumulation phase of the great San Diego rebuild so it stands to reason that they’ll let the kids take their lumps this year hoping it pays off a couple of years down the road.

Also remember the roster is going to change before the month of April ends. Poway native Alex Dickerson is expected back soon from a back injury. Pitchers Carter Capps and Christian Friedrich are also not far from being over their injuries and they will likely be quick to re-join the big league club.

In a crime caught on surveillance video, a Serra Mesa homeowner said a thief broke into his van as a neighbor walked by, looked on and did nothing.

Patrick McDarby has lived in this normally quiet Serra Mesa neighborhood for the past couple of years. He said what happened to his van is upsetting, but what's even more disappointing is the non-reaction the crime received from the witness seen in the video.

"I've talked to neighbors and they all say that they haven't heard of any car break-ins, house break-ins, anything like that," he said.

McDarby's surveillance cameras around his home, however, tell a different story. McDarby said the cameras capture everything outside his home, especially when his family is asleep, and usually crime is not a concern.

But on Thursday morning, neighbors awoke to the sound of McDarby's van alarm blazing. Shattered glass from the window was sprinkled on the ground. McDarby rolled the footage to see exactly what happened.

His home surveillance video shows a man get out of a car and apparently check all the locks, then get back into his car and drive away. A few seconds later, the man returns, breaking the back window of McDarby's parked van. At one point, the suspect is seen almost hanging from the back of the van, attempting to get inside.

The van's alarm starts blasting.

At that point in the video, a new element moves into the screen: a person walks by and looks on, witnessing it all.

"The good Samaritan neighbor, you'd think he'd come by and do something but he didn't," McDarby said, disappointed.

McDarby has a lot of tools in his van for work that are tied down, so thankfully nothing was stolen.

He hopes this is a good reminder that if you see something suspicious in your neighborhood, make sure to say something -- or at least take a picture -- to help your fellow neighbor.

A woman was released Saturday afternoon after being kidnapped by her ex-boyfriend at knifepoint just an hour before, according to San Diego police.

The woman was kidnapped in Ocean View and dropped off around the intersection of Boundary and Hemlock.

The woman reportedly suffered no injuries.

She was kidnapped around 3:11 p.m. and released just under an hour later around 4:09 p.m. 

Police are searching for the suspect he was driving a year 2000 white Honda, officials say.

A 79-year-old motorcyclist was killed Saturday morning in a collision with a car in Escondido, police confirmed.

The Escondido Police Department (EPD) said the deadly crash involving a Prius and a motorcycle happened just after 9:40 a.m. at the intersection of Broadway and Country Club Lane, near Rincon Avenue.

Witnesses told investigators that a man was riding alone on his three-wheeled 2008 Honda Goldwing, traveling eastbound on Country Club Lane. At the same time, another man was driving his Toyota Prius southbound on Broadway. The two drivers collided at the intersection.

The impact threw the motorcyclist off his Honda Goldwing, onto the street. Police said an off-duty paramedic witnessed the crash and rushed to help the motorcyclist until medics arrived.

Despite life-saving efforts, the victim suffered severe injuries and died at the scene, EPD Lt. Mike Kearney said.

The driver of the Prius was not hurt. Both drivers are residents of Escondido. The victim’s name has not yet been released.

EPD officials said the crash remains under investigation but alcohol or drugs were not contributing factors. Kearney also said distracted driving is not suspected.

"It just looks like an unfortunate collision," he lamented.

The lieutenant said anyone who may have witnessed the crash is asked to call the EPD at (760) 839-4722 and ask to speak with a traffic investigator, or call the police department's anonymous tip line at (760) 743-8477.

The EPD blocked off traffic in the area immediately following the crash including Broadway at Country Club Lane and Rincon Avenue and urged motorists to avoid the area amid the investigation. 

For someone named Stormi, a San Diego student has a surprisingly bright outlook on life.

And that's saying something, considering what this 24-year-old has dealt with in life.

Stormi Link was born with a very rare genetic disorder called Multiple Pterygium Syndrome, which can cause webbing of the skin at the joints, making it difficult for a person to move. It's rare. The National Institutes of Health reports the frequency of the disorder as unknown.

"I'm the only person with it in the whole world," Link said. "So, I'm really tiny. I walk in a squatting position."

She says she is stared at everywhere she goes, but that it doesn't really bother her. It also never bothered her when people told her what she can't do.

"It's made me just go after what I want," she said.

It's why she's now going to college, studying graphic design at the Art Institute of California San Diego, paying her own way, and even driving herself to class.

That desire to prove other people wrong, in addition to her faith, is also what led her to take a trip to Africa recently. Link said she felt called to go to Uganda where she worked to change a stigma towards the disabled.

"Because in Uganda, people are looked at as a curse, and they're treated lower than animals," she said. "Our emphasis was to teach them that people with disabilities are normal."

She says she was the perfect person to change that attitude because she's living proof of defying other people's expectations.

"They were like, 'Oh, you drive. You go to school. You have a family.' And I was like, 'Yes,' and it's possible for these people to do what I'm doing," she recalled.

For Link, one of the most powerful ways she has of reaching people is through art.

A painter all her life, she said holding a brush is the one thing that she could always do the same as everyone else.

On that trip to Uganda, Stormi said she met a girl who couldn't hold a brush, so she just placed the brush into the girl's mouth.

"And she had the biggest smile, and she felt included, which was the whole emphasis of the trip," she explained.

She knows first hand, the power of painting.

"I'm in pain 24/7, but when I paint, I just forget all about it," she added.

Link said she wants to keep painting. She wants to go back to Africa. She wants to finish school. She wants to continue to do whatever no one else expects.

"So, it's like people around me are just like, 'Well, what's next? Like, what can't you do?  And I'm like, 'Exactly.' I'm just a normal person that just looks different," she said. "This is me. I embrace it."

A woman who regularly cleans up trash along Mission Beach with her young daughter came across a disturbing discovery during one of their excursions: syringes in the sand.

Andrea Kruza, who lives in Mission Beach, said she was especially alarmed this week when, on two separate occasions, she found syringes in the sand.

In an effort to keep her community clean, she and her daughter, Lily, often pick up trash along the sand. She said finding those syringes along their route was scary.

“Now I’m extra, extra cautious,” Kruza said. “I can’t believe I found two in one week. I find some disturbing things, but nothing to that extent.”

Kruza told NBC 7 she found the syringes next to Mission Bay, near Mission Boulevard and Coronado Court. There is a boat dock there where, according to Kruza, people do occasionally fall asleep.

Kruza did not file a police report. She said she took the syringes to the Pacific Beach Fire Station, where people can safely dispose of needles. She snapped a photo of one of the syringes and provided that photo to NBC 7 on Saturday.

She hopes her story helps warn fellow Mission Beach residents and visitors, and keeps them alert when they’re walking on the sand.

Other residents said, despite the findings, the neighborhood still feels safe.

“It shocks me because this is not an area where we would find something like that,” said Shari Caircross, a long time Mission Beach resident. “I’ve never heard of that and I’ve been at this beach for 58 years.”

San Diego does have a history of sharp objects being purposely placed in play areas, particularly in beachside communities. In 2013, 2014 and 2015, razor blades were found scattered around a Mission Bay playground; in some cases, they appeared to have been intentionally planted there.

This discovery of syringes does not appear to be related to those earlier razor blade incidents.

Firefighters performed an unusual rescue Saturday when a woman got stuck inside a clothing donation bin in San Diego’s East Village.

San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD) officials said the victim – identified only as a woman in her 20s to 30s – somehow got trapped inside the bin, which stands in a parking lot below an Albertsons grocery store on 14th Street.

When emergency crews got to the scene at around 1:40 p.m., they discovered the victim had gotten her head stuck in the bin. The San Diego Police Department (SDPD) said the woman had passed out.

Firefighters were able to pull the woman from the bin, but she was unresponsive. She was rushed to a local hospital as medics performed CPR on her, trying to get her breathing again.

As of 3:30 p.m., the woman's condition was unknown.

The incident is under investigation. At this point, it is unknown how long the woman may have been stuck in the bin or how, exactly, she became trapped.

Fire officials said it appears the woman may have been taking clothing out of the bin or putting items into it.

The bin is one of those standard donation bins often seen in parking lots, typically used to hold donations of shoes and clothing to later be distributed to those in need.

No other information was available.

A United States Marine veteran who lost both of his legs while serving in Afghanistan walked down the aisle Saturday to the love of his life during a beautiful wedding ceremony in Oceanside.

Vibrant spring flowers, lace table cloths and, of course, a gorgeous white gown, filled the Paradise Falls event venue in Oceanside, all for the wedding of veteran U.S. Marine Cpl. Chris Van Etten and his bride, Samantha Yovandich.

Their wedding story is one that involves tragedy, love and generosity. 

The ceremony was a gift from Paradise Falls owners Al and Cathie Ransom. Once a year, the couple helps veterans by gifting weddings to wounded warriors through a program called "Vows for Vets."

This time, it was Van Etten's turn to tie the knot.

Wedding planners said the couple had some normal wedding day jitters Saturday but were excited to finally become husband and wife and show the world their unbreakable bond -- through thick and thin.

Van Etten is a double-amputee who lost both of his legs while serving in Afghanistan. On June 13, 2012, Van Etten was on patrol when he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED).

“I remember thinking, 'Okay, I just stepped on a bomb, I should probably check myself to see if I’m okay.' I prepped myself to look down to see what had happened -- at the time it felt like my legs were still there -- you don’t realize when you get hurt, then the pain starts happening,” Van Etten recalled, sharing his story with NBC 7 earlier this week.

Shortly after that, military doctors told Van Etten that he had lost his legs, but that “he was stable now and was going to be okay.”

Like many veterans, Van Etten’s injuries and war experience took him to a dark place. He remembers thinking he was not sure where his “new life” was going to take him.

“It’s not only a physical blow to your body, but a mental blow to your self-esteem because you are now changed and you’re not sure how the rest of the world is going to accept you,” he said.

To help get out of his mental funk, Van Etten started working out and getting in great shape. The result was an underwear modeling job.

Four years after losing his legs, he was part of the Jockey brand's "Show ’Em What’s Underneath" campaign, which focuses on sharing inspirational stories.

When Van Etten was working out, he also found the love of his life -- or, rather, she found him.

Van Etten said Yovandich saw him at a gym doing pull-ups with his prosthetics on, then she told a friend, “That’s going to be my boyfriend someday.”

She was right.

Soon, the couple began dating. About a year later they were engaged. On Saturday, they were married.

Thanks to the Ransoms generosity via their "Vows for Vets" program, the entire cost of the couple's $50,000 wedding was covered from the flowers and chairs, to the music, food and cake. Various vendors also donated items and services to make the Van Etten wedding possible.

Al Ransom is a retired Marine Colonel and told NBC 7 earlier this week that giving wounded warriors the weddings of their dreams is their favorite thing in life.

"There’s nothing that makes us more proud than being able to do such a thing because we receive more than we give," Al said.

Al said the cause is close to his heart.

"For my 30 years in the Marines, my war was Vietnam and we weren’t received well when we came home, so I didn’t want that to happen to those I see now," he explained. "My wife and I are in a position to do something about it, so for the past six years now we’ve done one or more weddings for a wounded warrior."

Van Etten said he and his bride were originally planning a small wedding in a friend’s backyard. Saturday's shindig far exceeded his expections.

"I don’t think that just because you get injured that someone should take care of your wedding for you, but it’s humbling to think that there are people out there that do think that," he said, speaking fondly of the Ransoms.

The Ransoms also own the Los Willows wedding venue. Between there and Paradise Falls, the couple puts on about 100 weddings a year, but these wounded warrior gifted weddings are the only ones the Ransoms personally attend, that makes Al emotional.

“It’s not just Chris and Samantha, every one we’ve had in the past, I love them all,” said Ransom, holding back tears.

A female hiker was airlifted from the Three Sisters Falls Saturday afternoon where she was hiking with a group.

The woman refused medical after she was evaluated in the ambulance. The incident may have been heat related. 

There were 39 rescues last year, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue and rescuers say some of those people show up unprepared. Some people have even died on the trail.

“The challenge with Three Sisters is that it’s easy to get down there,” SDSO Search and Rescue Reserve Commander Frank Motley said. “But you forget you have the hard hike back up," Motley added.

Although the trail is in the mountains near Julian and people expect the temperatures to be mild, there is a lot of direct sunlight and high heat on the trail. Police recommend hikers prepare for the trial by bringing plenty of water.

“Because you’re up in Julian, you think it’s going to be cool and nice, but it’s a high desert hike,” he said.

The woman was rescued around 12:40 p.m. Saturday.

A 17-year-old may be airlifted after falling and injuring his knee at Mission Trails Park Saturday evening, San Diego police say.

The boy fell just before 7 p.m.

No other information was immediately available.

Check back for updates.

More than 40 firefighters worked for approximately an hour to contain a fire that started in a mattress factory early Saturday morning, Escondido police confirm.

The one-story building, in the 1300 block of Simpson Way, had smoke rising from the center of the roof just before 2 a.m. 

A Second Alarm fire was called after crews found heavy fire conditions inside the building. Units from San Marcos, Vista and Rancho Santa Fe responded to assist.

Crews remained on scene for several hours to extinguish anything smoldering.

Two adjacent businesses were slightly damaged by the smoke and fire.

No one was injured during the incident.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by Escondido Fire Department’s Prevention Division.