On August 31, 2024, 18-year-old Seaman Apprentice Albert Lee Soto, a U.S. Navy sailor stationed in San Diego, was fatally shot following an altercation in the East Village neighborhood. Soto, originally from Queens, New York, had enlisted in the Navy in October 2023 and was serving as an operations specialist on the USS Pinckney, homeported at Naval Base San Diego.
The incident began around 12:50 a.m. near the intersection of 9th Avenue and F Street.
Soto and his friends became involved in a dispute with another group of men inside a local nightclub. Both groups exited the club separately, but the confrontation continued on the street for approximately 30 minutes. The altercation escalated when one individual produced a firearm and shot Soto. Officers in the vicinity responded promptly, finding Soto on the ground with at least one gunshot wound. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
In the ensuing investigation, San Diego Police Department homicide detectives utilized public and private security footage, license plate readers, and conducted witness interviews to identify the individuals involved. Their efforts led to the identification of 20-year-old Ta'Kari Terell Benness as the suspected shooter. Authorities tracked Benness to St. Cloud, Minnesota, where he was arrested on October 16, 2024, by the St. Cloud Police Department. He was taken into custody without incident and held on suspicion of murder, pending extradition to California.
The arrest of Benness was the result of coordinated efforts between the San Diego Police Department, the St. Cloud Police Department, and federal agencies. Investigators have also identified the other individuals present during the incident. The investigation remains active, with authorities urging anyone with additional information to contact the San Diego Police Department's Homicide Unit or Crime Stoppers.
Soto's death has deeply affected both his family and the Navy community. A vigil held in his honor drew friends and fellow service members who remembered him as a bright and dedicated individual committed to serving his country. The Navy expressed condolences, stating, "Our thoughts are with the Sailor’s family, friends, and shipmates."
