The fatal shooting of a man outside a gym in the Midway District Sunday led to an hours-long standoff at an apartment complex miles away in North Park.
The shooting was near a 24 Hour Fitness in the 3600 block of Midway Drive just before 11 a.m., San Diego Police Officer Dino Delimitros said.
It happened in the rear parking lot of the fitness center, San Diego police Lt. Duane Malinowski said. Arriving units found a 27-year-old man lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to his chest.
Officers tried to save the man, but he died at the scene, Malinowski said. His name was withheld pending notification of kin.
Officers then got a tip that led them to check a residence at 3000 Upas Street, just a few blocks east of Balboa Park, Malinowski continued. Police were looking for a man said to be acquaintance of the victim.
A SWAT team was called and set up a perimeter, Malinowski said. Homicide detectives were also called to that scene. The initial investigation indicated the suspect was a 40-year-old Hispanic man.
Officers responded to the apartment on Upas Street about noon, Delimitros said. Roads in the area were blocked off by police for more than six hours while the standoff continued.
About 6:15 p.m. the SWAT team made entry into the apartment but the suspect was not there, police said
The SWAT wrapped up their operation and left the scene, police said. The suspect remains at large.
–City News Service