The body of an apparent homicide victim was found early Wednesday in a University Heights-area commercial district.
Patrol officers responding to a report of gunfire found the 59-year-old man lying in a McDonald’s parking lot at El Cajon Boulevard and Texas Street shortly before 3 a.m., according to the San Diego Police Department.
“It is still very early in the investigation, and little is known about the circumstances leading up to the man’s death,” said homicide Lt. Matt Dobbs. “It appears the victim was involved in some sort of disturbance with another man in the parking lot.”
Paramedics took the man to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His name was withheld pending family notification.
Despite the report of gunfire — the sounds of which also were heard by the officers who found the mortally wounded man — the cause of the victim’s death was not immediately clear.
“The victim sustained injuries to his upper body,” said SDPD public-affairs Lt. Shawn Takeuchi. “However, we do not know if they were gunshot wounds … or knife wounds. A knife was found at the scene.”
An unidentified possible suspect was seen leaving the area in a white SUV of unknown make and model following the apparent gunfire. No detailed description of him was immediately available.
Updated at 2:54 p.m. May 12, 2021