San Diego police announced Thursday they had arrested a suspected gunman in connection with an Otay Mesa shooting that paralyzed — and ultimately killed — a 27-year-old man two years ago.
Kenneth Fowler, 49, was arrested last week on suspicion of gunning down Daniel Flores on Cactus Road south of Otay Mesa Road in March 2023, police homicide Lt. Lou Maggi said.
During their investigation, detectives learned that Fowler had allegedly shot Flores in a separate incident before at the same location on Sept. 9, 2022, Maggi said. The incident was reported to police.
Homicide detectives later identified Fowler as a suspect in both shootings, Maggi said. Detectives declined to provide details on what they believe led up to either incident, but Maggi described the two men as acquaintances.
More than two years after Flores died, investigators located and arrested Fowler on May 21 on Park Lane, just south of Japatul Road.
He was booked into San Diego jail on multiple allegations, including suspicion of murder and attempted murder. He was being held without bail.
On the night of the second shooting, investigators found Flores conscious and breathing but unable to provide information regarding the shooting, Maggi said.
Flores was taken to a hospital, where doctors determined the injuries he received had paralyzed him from the neck down, according to investigators. He died two months later.
