4 Arrested In Assault On Teen At East County Mall

EL CAJON, CA — Three men and a teenage boy were accused of assault and attempted murder of another teen this week at an El Cajon mall, authorities said.

A 17-year-old boy was attacked around 3 p.m. Tuesday inside Spencer's at Parkway Plaza, according to the El Cajon Police Department.

"During the confrontation, one suspect pointed a handgun at the victim's head and appeared to pull the trigger," police Lt. Will Guerin said. "The firearm did not discharge, and all four suspects fled the store."

Surveillance-camera footage from the business "confirmed the assault and attempted murder, and clearly identified the suspects," Guerin said.

Detectives found the suspects around 4:15 p.m. near Broadway and Ballantyne, according to police. They were identified as Abraham Rodriguez, 19, Isidro Vazquez, 24, Jermaine Taylor, 23, and a 16-year-old whose name was not disclosed.

"Three of them ran into a nearby apartment complex; the fourth was found at a nearby business," Guerin said. "The juvenile suspect was seen entering and later leaving an apartment, where he was detained by officers. The other adult suspects were located and taken into custody without incident."

Officers found two handguns during a search of the underage suspect's apartment, Guerin said.

"One of the firearms matched the description of the weapon used in the assault, and was found jammed with a chambered round and showed evidence indicating a failed discharge," he said.

The juvenile, who was on probation for previous gun-related crimes, was booked into San Diego County Juvenile Detention Facility on suspicion of multiple felony charges, including attempted murder, conspiracy and firearm offenses.

Rodriguez, Vazquez, and Taylor were booked into San Diego Central Jail on suspicion of attempted murder and conspiracy. Rodriguez and Vazquez were also on probation for gun-related offenses.