One person was killed and another was injured in a shooting in City Heights Thursday afternoon, police confirmed.
Police officers rushed to the 4000 block of 39th Street and University Avenue at around 2:45 p.m. to investigate reports of shots fired near a neighborhood alley. News helicopter video showed more than a dozen officers investigating the residential area.
SDPD Lt. Kevin Mayer said one person was killed in the shooting, and homicide detectives are now investigating the deadly incident.
Detectives say the shooting happened after two victims got into some sort of physical fight with two suspects in a west alley on 39th Street.
Detectives say the victims were standing in the alley when two suspects pulled up in a car, got out and started physically fighting with the victims, shooting them multiple times.
Police say the shooting suspects then fled the scene in a truck that was last seen driving towards El Cajon Boulevard.
The victims have not been identified by name just yet. Police have not released suspect or vehicle descriptions at this point.
Officers say the shooting may be gang-related, but that is still under investigation. SDPD gang unit detectives were at the scene Thursday afternoon along with officers.
Neighbors told NBC 7 the neighborhood has its share of gang activity.
Local Jesus Sandoval grew up in the City Heights neighborhood. Sandoval used to be in a gang, but is now a pastor at New Harvest Church.
He says the mentally of those involved in gangs is a dangerous one that often costs lives.
“They’re shooting at each other. They’re part of a gang culture and to them, that’s their family, that’s all they know. It’s like war. A street war and we’re just trying to bring peace and promote change,” Pastor Sandoval told NBC 7.
Check back for updates in this developing story.
Photo Credit: Danya Bacchus