Joey Holtz, a 33-year-old bar manager and executive chef at Myst Lounge in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, tragically lost his life on August 13, 2018. Holtz was shot in the chest during an altercation near the intersection of 5th Avenue and Market Street. The incident occurred just before 2 a.m. when Holtz and a companion got into a confrontation with another group. Witnesses reported that Holtz swung a folding sign at the group, which led to one of the men opening fire.
Despite the efforts of bystanders and medics, Holtz was pronounced dead at the scene approximately 20 minutes after the shooting.
The investigation into Holtz's death led to the arrest of 23-year-old Jonathan Hernandez, who was initially booked on a first-degree murder charge. Hernandez and another man were seen leaving the scene in a taxi and were located less than a mile away. However, the case took a turn when San Diego police homicide detectives, after consulting with the District Attorney's Office, decided not to file charges against Hernandez at that time. Hernandez was subsequently released, and police continued to seek additional witnesses to the shooting.
Friends, family, and colleagues of Joey Holtz gathered for a vigil at Embarcadero Marina Park to honor his memory. Holtz was remembered as a kind-hearted individual who was deeply loved by those who knew him. He was described as a loving father to his young son, Levi, and a dedicated friend and colleague. The community expressed their grief and called for increased safety measures in the area to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The case remains open, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward. The lack of charges against Hernandez has left many questions unanswered, and the investigation continues as police seek to piece together the events that led to Holtz's untimely death.
