Authorities reached out Tuesday for help in identifying the suspect or suspects who fired a pellet gun at four night spots in Hillcrest and North Park last spring.
Four people were struck and one needed surgery. The incidents are being investigated as hate crimes.
The drive-by assaults occurred in the early-morning hours of May 18, mostly targeting gay bars, according to the San Diego Police Department.
The shootings, involving a gel-pellet gun, were carried out by one or more occupants of a black late-model sedan traveling past four businesses:
- The Rail at Fifth and Robinson avenues, where one of the projectiles struck a security guard on the arm
- Number One Fifth Avenue
- Rich’s on University Avenue, where three people were hit, including an employee who had to undergo minor surgery for a resulting eye injury, and
- Pecs Bar, also on University.
Additionally, a man was targeted by the gel pellets while walking with his wife in Old Town – though that assault is not believed to have been hate-motivated, police said.
San Diego County Crime Stoppers, in partnership with the San Diego LGBTQ+ Historic Task Force and the Hate Crime Fund, is offering a $2,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest in the case.
Tipsters are asked to contact Crime Stoppers, anonymously, if preferred, at 888-580-8477 or online.
– City News Service
