The Chula Vista Police Department announced two incidents near Harborside Park Friday morning, where two men sustained non-fatal gunshot wounds, and one of the two suffered stab wounds.
Both incidents come two days after the city of Chula Vista moved to close the park for 90 days due to public health and safety concerns. The incidents were reported separately merely minutes apart.
According to CVPD Public Information Specialist Caitlin Clark, officers first responded to a report at about 6:43 a.m. of a 26-year-old male victim who had been shot at Harborside Park. The witness reported a group of 4-6 juvenile suspects surrounded the victim, who had a gunshot wound to the leg.
The shooting occurred near Harborside Elementary School, prompting a brief lock-down until officers confirmed there was no threat to the community and that the suspects fled.
A witness reported seeing the suspects run southbound toward the Palomar Trolley Station. According to Clark, the suspects were seen boarding a northbound trolley.
Dispatchers received a call from another caller at 6:49 a.m. about a 33-year-old male victim who suffered several gunshots and stabs wounds in the 600 block of Palomar street.
Both victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment, and authorities believed the victims are unsheltered victims residing in Harborside park.
“At this time, their injuries are believed to be non-life threatening,” Clark said.
The San Diego Police Department contacted three suspects at the Park & Market Trolley Station for an unrelated criminal investigation. They were arrested and are currently pending charges for the shooting.
Authorities believe other suspects remain at large among the original group. Police are still investigating the incident.
Investigators believe the suspects are not residents of Harborside Park. Police said there is no evidence the victims were targeted because they were homeless, and a motive for the crimes remains unknown.
Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to contact San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 or to anonymously submit a tip via P3tips at https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=409#
