Security Guard Fatally Shot At San Diego Homeless Shelter

SAN DIEGO, CA — Police Sunday were investigating the shooting death of a security guard at the Alpha Project homeless tent shelter in the East Village.

The shooting happened around 7:30 p.m. Saturday outside the Alpha Project shelter at 1700 Imperial Ave., said Lt. Martha Sainz of the San Diego Police Department. The gunman approached the guard outside the shelter and shot him several times, then fled the scene.

A shelter employee heard shots fired outside and called police. At about the same time, police in the area were flagged down by someone who also heard the shots nearby. When officers arrived, they found a security guard on the sidewalk suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken by medics to the hospital, where he died within about an hour.

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer reacted to the shooting death on Twitter on Sunday: "Saddened by the fatal shooting of an Alpha Project employee on Imperial Avenue. Crisis counselors were onsite to support staff and the 100-plus men and women who use the nearby bridge shelter. An investigation is underway."

Homicide detectives arrived at the shooting scene and are investigating the death. The security guard has been identified, but his name is not being released yet, officials said.

Officers were reviewing security camera footage, Sainz said. No description of the suspect was released.

The 150-bed tented shelter opened Nov. 5.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

—City News Service