On the evening of September 17, 2024, 53-year-old Willie Tillis was tragically killed in San Diego's East Village neighborhood. Around 7:40 p.m., San Diego police officers, responding to gunshots near 14th Street and Imperial Avenue, found Tillis on the sidewalk with both gunshot and stab wounds. He was immediately transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
According to Lt.
Jud Campbell of the San Diego Police Department, a confrontation had occurred among a group of individuals on the sidewalk. During this altercation, one suspect shot Tillis, while another stabbed him. The assailants fled the scene in different directions following the attack. Detectives have been actively seeking witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage from nearby cameras, including those at a trolley station, to piece together the events leading up to the homicide.
Tillis was known for his kind-hearted nature and his commitment to helping the homeless community in East Village. Family members described him as a caring individual who frequently provided food and money to those in need. His cousin, Joyce Manning, recalled his sense of humor and his dedication to his family, which included six siblings and twin daughters. The loss has left his family devastated, with his brother, Victor Pearson, expressing profound grief over the senseless act of violence.
In the days following the incident, on September 18, 2024, police arrested 53-year-old Alex Bailey during a traffic stop on National Avenue. Bailey is suspected of being the individual who shot Tillis during the altercation. He was taken into custody without incident and booked into county jail on suspicion of murder. Authorities continue to search for additional suspects involved in the attack, urging anyone with information to come forward to aid in the investigation.
The brutal nature of Tillis's death has prompted his family to call for justice and closure. They have viewed surveillance footage of the incident, describing it as horrifying and expressing a deep need for answers. A memorial has been established in East Village to honor Tillis's memory, and a GoFundMe campaign has been set up to assist the family with funeral expenses. The community remains on edge as the search for the remaining suspects continues, with authorities diligently working to determine the motive behind this tragic event.
