On September 1, 2024, at approximately 2:10 a.m., a vehicle carrying several men arrived at Paradise Valley Hospital in San Diego. The occupants flagged down a San Diego Police Officer who was at the hospital on an unrelated call, directing the officer to an 18-year-old Hispanic male who had sustained gunshot wounds. Despite immediate medical intervention, the victim, identified as Juan Carlos Porter of National City, was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Investigations revealed that the shooting occurred on the southbound Interstate 5 on-ramp from Logan Avenue, near Chicano Park. Earlier that night, San Diego Police officers had responded to three separate reports of gunfire in the Chicano Park area at 12:12 a.m., 1:08 a.m., and 2:06 a.m. While the first and third calls yielded no findings, during the second call, officers discovered multiple cartridge casings and a vehicle that had been struck by gunfire several times.
The initial investigation was conducted by the California Highway Patrol due to the location of the incident. However, as evidence suggested that the shots were likely fired from the vicinity of Chicano Park, the San Diego Police Homicide Unit assumed responsibility for the case. Detectives are actively processing the scene for physical evidence, seeking to interview witnesses, and canvassing the area for surveillance footage that might provide further insights into the events leading up to Porter's death.
As of now, authorities have not disclosed any information regarding potential suspects or arrests related to the case. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear. Law enforcement officials have appealed to the public for assistance, encouraging anyone with information about the incident or with access to security camera footage from the area to contact the San Diego Police Department's Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
