Authorities continue search for Otay Ranch Town Center gunman
By SDCN Editor
Chula Vista, CA–Chula Vista police are continuing their search for the gunman who shot four people Saturday at the Otay Ranch Town Center in Chula Vista.
One victim was identified as a 16-year-old boy with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds to his legs. The victim is believed to have been involved in the initial dispute with a group of people. An uninvolved 58-year-old man and 60-year-old woman were also shot in the leg and transported to a hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening wounds. In addition, an uninvolved 21-year-old woman received treatment at a hospital for a non-life-threatening injury believed to have been caused by a bullet grazing her leg.
According to Chula Vista police, several customers were at Novo Brazil and the Otay Ranch Town Center when the shooting occurred. Officers spoke with several witnesses and collected video which captured much of the shooting incident. The video is being reviewed by investigators.
Investigators believe there is only one suspect who discharged a firearm during the incident, and that person is being sought by police.
Chula Vista police will increase patrols at the Otay Ranch Town Center, and throughout the city following the incident. Officers will be conducting extra patrols around the mall and working closely with security staff to monitor and address safety concerns appropriately.
On October 28 at around 7:16 p.m., the Chula Vista Police Department received several calls of a shooting incident at Novo Brazil, located in the Otay Ranch Town Center in Chula Vista. Some of the callers stated there were victims who were shot.
Due to concerns there was an active shooter, several Chula Vista Police officers responded to the scene along with officers from the San Diego and National City Police Departments. The mall was immediately locked down while officers secured the scene and searched for victims.
Based on their initial findings, officers determined it was not an active shooter incident. Three gunshot victims were eventually located, and all were transported to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
According to the Chula Vista Police Department, the preliminary investigation suggests the shooting started after a confrontation between two opposing groups of individuals. Investigators believe the shooting suspect fled with a small group of people prior to officers arriving at the scene.
The lockdown was later lifted after officers determined there was not an active shooter.
Anyone with additional video or information about the incident is urged to contact investigators via San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 or submit a tip through P3tips (online or mobile application) http://p3tips.com/409 if they wish to remain anonymous.
