Man Stabbed To Death In San Diego's Gaslamp District

SAN DIEGO, CA — A man was arrested on suspicion of stabbing another man to death at a hotel in San Diego's Gaslamp District, authorities said.

Police responded to a report of a stabbing shortly before 7 p.m. Wednesday on the second floor of the Golden West Hotel at 720 Fourth Ave., according to the San Diego Police Department. Officers found the victim and began life-saving measures until San Diego Fire-Rescue Department paramedics arrived. The victim was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.

The suspect, identified as Rene Lunar, 44, ran from the hotel after the stabbing, according to police. Shortly after, he called the department's dispatch to turn himself in. Lunar was arrested without further incident in the 1500 block of India Street, police said.

Homicide investigators believe Lunar and the 38-year-old victim were engaged in an argument that escalated into a physical fight and fatal stabbing. Police said the victim was identified, but his name was withheld pending family notification.

Anyone with information about the stabbing was asked to call the department's Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.