Chula Vista Police searched Tuesday for a fugitive who allegedly opened fire on bounty hunters trying to take him into custody in a South Bay neighborhood, wounding one of them before fleeing.
Christopher Marquez, 36, allegedly fired on the bail-recovery agents as they attempted to serve him with an arrest warrant at a home in the 600 block of East J Street in Chula Vista shortly before 9 p.m. Monday, according to police.
Paramedics took the victim to a hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening bullet wounds.
“Marquez was armed with a handgun and possibly a rifle,” CVPD Lt. Frank Giaime said. “He was last seen headed back toward the home, wearing dark clothing.”
Police cleared other people out of the house while trying to determine if Marquez was hiding inside, Giaime said. Getting no response from the suspect, they called in a SWAT team.
The standoff continued until about 7 a.m. Tuesday morning, when the special weapons and tactics personnel secured a search warrant that allowed them to enter the home, which turned out to be unoccupied.
“It is unclear where Marquez may have gone,” the lieutenant said. “It is believed he fled the area on foot.”
Police advised anyone spotting the suspect to avoid contacting him and immediately call 911 to report his whereabouts.
Updated at 1:25 p.m., Tuesday, March 16, 2021
