Family Still Seeking Answers in 2003 Homicide

A homicide that has gone unsolved for more than eight years has not been forgotten by family and friends of Salvador Mercado, who are publicizing a $10,000 reward with a billboard on Palm Avenue, no far from where the 25-year-old was stabbed to death.

On Nov. 16, 2003, Mercado was attacked by an unknown suspect in the 800 block of Harris Avenue, according to San Diego County Crime Stoppers. Salvador had just left a party in the area before he was fatally stabbed around midnight.

Determined to bring Mercado’s killer to justice, a billboard in the 1700 block of Palm Avenue asks, “Who murdered Salvador Mercado,” while tempting tipsters with a $10,000 reward.

According to U-T San Diego, Mercado had a 3-year-old daughter at the time of his death and was engaged to be married. The family believes people at the quinceañera party Merdaco attended the night he was stabbed witnessed the attack and know who the suspect is.

“Someone knows who this guy is,” Mercado’s mother told the paper.