

Reporter
Caleb Lunetta
Caleb Lunetta is a staff writer at The San Diego Union-Tribune, with his primary focus on breaking news and public safety issues. Before coming to San Diego, he worked as a breaking news and education reporter at The Signal newspaper in Santa Clarita. He is a graduate of California State University-Northridge.
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The 17-year-old was arrested on suspicion of killing a 73-year-old man

Witnesses detain alleged gunman after shot fired outside UEI Oceanside campus
No injuries were reported after at least one round was fired

Suspected DUI crash in Chula Vista sends driver, 3 engers to hospital
Investigators alleged the driver was drunk when he struck a concrete pillar

El hipopótamo pigmeo en cautiverio más longevo del mundo es un residente de Ramona
Hannah Shirley, de 51 años, atendida en el Centro de Vida Silvestre Ramona, rompió un récord mundial este fin de semana

Evacuation warnings remain in place as crews work to contain brush fire in Pala
The blaze burned 256 acres and was 40% contained as of Saturday evening, according to Cal Fire.

Brush fire quickly spreads, forces evacuations in Pala
Evacuations were ordered east of Henderson Road and around Magee Road

SDPD announces move to encrypted police scanners despite previous hesitation
Until Friday's announcement, the San Diego Police Department was the only local law enforcement agency still using unencrypted radio communications.

Police release video of officer shooting axe-wielding suspect in Pacific Beach
Officer Dominic Bloemendaal shot William John Hanley, 53, after the armed man allegedly threatened library patrons and police in Pacific Beach on May 8

Cómo evitar los cierres de carreteras y las zonas de no estacionamiento para el Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon de este fin de semana
La carrera cerrará calles y evitará el hacia el norte a la Ruta estatal 163

How to avoid road closures, no-parking zones for this weekend’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon
The race will close streets and tie up state Route 163 Sunday

Police arrest alleged gunman two years after fatal shooting in Otay Mesa
Investigators said Kenneth Fowler, 49, allegedly shot Daniel Flores, 27

The world’s longest living pygmy hippo in captivity is a California resident
Hannah Shirley, 51, cared for at the Ramona Wildlife Center, broke a world record this weekend

Name of slain San Diego police officer added to fallen officer monument. ‘We miss you every day.’
Officer Austin Machitar's name was the 35th to be added to the monument

The world’s longest living pygmy hippo in captivity is a Ramona resident
Hannah Shirley, 51, cared for at the Ramona Wildlife Center, broke a world record this weekend

San Elijo Middle School goes into lockdown after reported bomb threat
Investigators were working to determine if the threat was substantiated

It’s rattlesnake season. What do you do if your dog gets bitten?
Time is of the essence to get antivenom treatment at a veterinary hospital

Hallan restos descompuestos de una ballena de 55 pies en La Jolla
Fue encontrado la madrugada del miércoles cerca del estacionamiento de La Jolla Shores, dijeron las autoridades.

SAN DIEGO: Video muestra a policía disparando fatalmente a hombre armado que se estrelló contra casa en Golden Hill
El sargento interino Bryan Shields y el sargento Richard Curtis dispararon fatalmente a Enrique Cortez Jr.

Video shows police fatally shoot armed man that crashed into Golden Hill home
Acting Sgt. Bryan Shields and Sgt. Richard Curtis fatally shot Enrique Cortez Jr., 37

Decomposed remains of 55-foot whale found on La Jolla beach
The whale's extremely decomposed body was found near the La Jolla Shores parking lot

Woman experiencing medical emergency in Las Colinas jail dies at hospital
The woman had been in custody since Sunday

Woman dies after being allegedly thrown from San Ysidro balcony
Irene Williams, 61, died after her boyfriend allegedly threw her from a balcony Monday

Estudiantes de medicina de UC San Diego cambian vidas y obtienen experiencia crucial en un programa de eliminación de tatuajes
El programa gratuito de eliminación de tatuajes reúne a pacientes y estudiantes de medicina en la misma sala.

Sheriff’s deputy fights off alleged knife attack in San Diego courthouse
The inmate allegedly lunged at the deputy's head and neck with a makeshift knife

Former Teacher of the Year sentenced to 30 years in prison for student sexual abuse
Jacqueline Ma, 36, itted that she had groomed and sexually abused two sixth-grade students

La policía de San Diego disparó a un hombre que presuntamente blandía un hacha en Pacific Beach
El sospechoso había amenazado a los s de la biblioteca con el arma antes del tiroteo, dicen las autoridades

“¡Un americano!” Los católicos de San Diego celebran la elección del Papa León XIV y sus vínculos locales
Robert Prevost, el primer papa estadounidense, tiene vínculos con San Diego, incluso a través de la escuela secundaria St. Augustine.

‘Un Americano!’ San Diego Catholics celebrate Pope Leo XIV’s election — and his local ties
Robert Prevost, the first American pope, has ties to San Diego, including through St. Augustine High School.

San Diego police shoot man allegedly wielding axe in Pacific Beach
The suspect had threatened library patrons with the weapon prior to the shooting, authorities say

Driver arrested on suspicion of DUI after 1 killed, 4 hospitalized in crash near National City
The crash occurred on south Interstate 805 near 43rd Street Saturday

UC San Diego medical students change lives — and get crucial experience — in tattoo removal program
Officials say the free program can change patient's lives while molding future doctors

77-year-old chairman of Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians dies following cancer battle
Bo Mazzetti, 77, died Thursday after serving the last 16 years as the chairman of the Rincon Tribal Council

Un incendio forestal cierra temporalmente una carretera al este de Julian
Un incendio forestal que se desató la tarde del jueves había crecido a aproximadamente 15 acres

Brush fire temporarily closes highway east of Julian
A brush fire had grown to about 15 acres near state Route 78 and San Felipe Road

Man arrested on suspicion of smuggling exotic parakeets inside cowboy boots across border
Another six birds were found in seat cushion of his Jeep Grand Cherokee, federal prosecutors said

Una auditoría muestra que los incidentes antisemitas están aumentando en el condado de San Diego
El número de incidentes antisemitas denunciados aumentó de 108 en 2023 a 139 en 2024, según la Liga Antidifamación de San Diego.

Antisemitic incidents on the rise in San Diego County, audit shows
There were 139 reported antisemitic incidents in 2024, according to the Anti-Defamation League of San Diego

Sheriff’s deputies and dispatcher save missing child found running on Santee freeway
The trio worked together to find and pull the boy back from oncoming traffic

Police release video showing officers fatally shoot man armed with replica gun in Stockton
The video shows six officers shoot Kevin García Gonzalez, 20

Registros revelan el pasado problemático del hombre arrestado por la muerte de una mujer en Vista
Malcolm Pope se entregó tras atrincherarse en la casa. El cuerpo de la mujer fue encontrado dentro.

Records paint troubled past for man arrested in woman’s death in Vista home
Deputies arrested Malcolm Pope, 26, after an hours-long standoff Wednesday

Hallan cuerpo de mujer en casa de Vista tras horas de enfrentamiento con SWAT
“Al llegar, los agentes ingresaron a la residencia y encontraron a una mujer adulta fallecida con signos evidentes de trauma”

Woman’s body found inside Vista home after hours-long SWAT standoff
Deputies were called to perform a welfare check at a home on North Citrus Avenue Wednesday

Un enfrentamiento de varias horas termina después de que un pistolero se entrega a los agentes del SWAT en La Jolla
Según informes, el hombre se encontraba sentado en un automóvil armado con una pistola cerca de Via Casa Alta y La Jolla Scenic Drive.

Alleged driver arrested after fatal hit-and-run crash in Valley Center
Nolan Deskovick, 40, was arrested on suspicion of fatally striking a pedestrian

Hours-long standoff ends after gunman surrenders to SWAT officers in La Jolla
The man was reportedly sitting in a car armed with a gun near Via Casa Alta and La Jolla Scenic Drive

Man sentenced for illegally trafficking baby spider monkeys across U.S.-Mexico border
Sarmad Ghaled Dafar coordinated the smuggling at least six baby monkeys through Calexico

$600K worth of Mexican Xanax seized on I-5
About 90,000 pills were allegedly found inside a pickup traveling on Interstate 5 Wednesday evening

Man fatally shot in El Cajon park identified, second shooting in area reported
Deandre Jarrail Bryant, 46, was shot and killed at Wells Park Sunday night

Camp Pendleton identifica a los marines que murieron en un accidente en Nuevo México
El cabo primero Albert Aguilera, de 22 años, de Riverside, y el cabo primero Marcelino Gamino, de 28 años, de Fresno, fallecieron el martes.

Camp Pendleton identifies Marines who died in New Mexico rollover crash
Lance l. Albert Aguilera, 22, of Riverside, and Lance l. Marcelino Gamino, 28, of Fresno, died Tuesday

Homicide detectives investigate fatal attack in Lemon Grove parking lot
The victim was fatally injured in a parking lot on Broadway near Lemon Grove Avenue Tuesday night

La policía de San Diego mata a tiros a un presunto pistolero en Golden Hill
El tiroteo ocurrió después de una persecución vehicular que comenzó en San Ysidro el lunes.

San Diego police fatally shoot alleged gunman in Golden Hill
The shooting occurred following a vehicle pursuit that began in San Ysidro Monday

El vehículo de una mujer fue descubierto en Poway cinco días antes de que la sacaran del desagüe pluvial
Yafang Zhou, quien fue reportada como desaparecida, murió después de ser sacada de un desagüe pluvial subterráneo.

Woman’s vehicle discovered in Poway five days before she was pulled from storm drain
Yafang Zhou, who was reported missing, died after being pulled from underground storm drain

Identifican a un hombre de 23 años apuñalado fatalmente durante un robo en una casa de Grant Hill
Joshua Cruz presuntamente pateó una puerta principal para lastimar a su novia dentro de una casa la madrugada del sábado.

Los equipos de respuesta a emergencias realizan hoy un simulacro de accidente aéreo en Mission Bay
Simulan choque de aviones para entrenar a socorristas en búsqueda y rescate.

Man, 23, fatally stabbed during break-in at Grant Hill home identified
Joshua Cruz allegedly kicked in a front door to hurt his girlfriend inside a house early Saturday morning

Suspected drunken driver arrested after deadly crash in Chula Vista
The crash Sunday night on Interstate 805 near state Route 54 killed the driver's enger

Los equipos de respuesta a emergencias realizan hoy un simulacro de accidente aéreo en Mission Bay
El ejercicio implicará un choque simulado entre dos aviones pequeños el miércoles por la mañana

First responders drill today with simulated plane crash in Mission Bay
The exercise will involve a simulated crash between two small airplanes Wednesday morning

Los residentes del condado de San Diego que corrieron hacia el peligro son honrados por su valentía
Los siete galardonados durante los Premios Ciudadanos de Coraje del lunes mostraron acciones heroicas para "salvar una vida"

San Diego County residents who ran toward danger are honored for their courage
The District Attorney’s Office’s 35th annual Citizens of Courage Awards recognized seven everyday heroes

La policía de San Diego disparó y mató a un hombre que tenía una pistola de aire comprimido en Stockton
Las autoridades dijeron que el hombre apuntó lo que parecía ser un arma a los oficiales

San Diego police shoot, kill man who had BB gun in Stockton neighborhood standoff
Authorities said the man pointed what appeared to be a gun at officers, prompting six of them to open fire in the 11 a.m. Friday encounter

Wayward emu found in Vista yard reunited with owners
It's not clear who owns the 3-year-old bird, which rescuers have nicknamed Claudius

Plomero de Spring Valley condenado a pagar $1 millón por fraude de compensación laboral
Daniela Birdwell, propietaria de GPS Plumbing, se declaró culpable de defraudar al fondo de compensación laboral

Se ofrece recompensa de $1,000 por pistas que conduzcan al arresto en un atropello y fuga fatal en Clairemont
Un hombre de 36 años fue atropellado y asesinado mientras andaba en bicicleta eléctrica en Balboa Avenue

$1,000 reward offered for tips leading to arrest in fatal Clairemont hit and run
A 36-year-old man was struck and killed while he was riding an e-bike on Balboa Avenue near Interstate 805 Saturday

Spring Valley plumber ordered to pay $1 million for workers’ comp fraud
Daniela Birdwell, who owns GPS Plumbing, pleaded guilty to defrauding the workers' compensation fund of millions of dollars, prosecutors said

General manager and 3 workers charged after immigration raid at East County business
Agents reported finding a room in San Diego Powder & Protective Coatings where undocumented immigrants were allowed to live

Agentes federales allanan negocio en El Cajón en una investigación sobre inmigración
San Diego Powder & Protective Coatings es sospechosa de contratar a trabajadores sin autorización legal

Federal agents raid business during immigration investigation in unincorporated El Cajon
San Diego Powder & Protective Coatings is suspected of knowingly hiring workers without legal authorization, according to court records

Wife accused of stabbing Cal Fire captain to death pleads not guilty
Yolanda Olejniczak Marodi allegedly stabbed Rebecca Marodi at least 34 times at their Ramona home.

Francotiradores de la policía de San Diego matan a un hombre armado cerca de Scripps Ranch
La policía había acudido a la zona el martes por la tarde tras informes de un hombre con un arma.

80 arrested in retail theft takedown at Las Americas outlet mall in San Ysidro
Nearly 400 stolen goods worth more than $36,000 were recovered during the CHP operation

San Diego police snipers kill armed man near Scripps Ranch
Police had gone to the area early Tuesday afternoon following reports of a man with a gun

NATIONAL CITY: No hay cargos de homicidio para adolescente que la Policía dijo que estaba vinculado a la muerte de un menor
Carlos Maldonado, de 18 años, fue arrestado la semana pasada bajo sospecha de asesinato

No murder charge for teen National City police said was linked to boy’s shooting death
Carlos Maldonado, 18, was charged with weapons possession in Chula Vista Superior Court Monday

Adolescente arrestado por disparar a muerte un niño de 12 años en National City
Un niño fue asesinado en noviembre durante una fiesta en una casa vacía.

Tres migrantes mueren al cruzar la frontera entre Estados Unidos y México durante una reciente tormenta
La mujer y dos hombres murieron durante incidentes separados en el área silvestre de Otay Mountain

Teen arrested in shooting death of 12-year-old in National City
Carlos Maldonado, 18, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of killing Elijah Smith, 12, during a shooting at an abandoned house on Nov. 15, police said

Three migrants die while crossing U.S.-Mexico border during recent storm
The woman and two men died during separate incidents in the Otay Mountain Wilderness Area on March 14, Border Patrol said

Encuentran varios videos de abuso sexual infantil en el disco duro de un policía de Universidad Estatal de San Diego
El sargento Paul Aurelio McClain, residente de Menifee, fue arrestado la semana pasada bajo sospecha de posesión de pornografía infantil.

Multiple videos of child sex abuse found on SDSU cop’s hard drive, feds allege
Sgt. Paul Aurelio McClain was arrested last week on suspicion of possession of child pornography

Agente de la Policía de SDSU es arrestado en investigación federal de pornografía infantil
El agente no identificado fue arrestado fuera del campus el jueves y acusado al día siguiente de posesión de pornografía infantil

SDSU campus officer arrested in federal child porn investigation
The officer was arrested off-campus Thursday and charged the next day with possessing child pornography

Vandal tears up grass near Mt. Soledad veterans’ memorial
A vehicle did donuts on the northwest lawn of the Mt. Soledad Open Space preserve Saturday morning

Suspected DUI driver arrested in fatal Pala crash
Investigators said a Chevrolet Tahoe collided head-on with a Mitsubishi Outlander on state Route 76 Sunday

Sunny skies forecast for San Diego County this weekend once storm clears
The recent rain storm brought an average of 1 inch of precipitation to communities throughout San Diego County

Un incendio provoca daños estimados en 2,5 millones de dólares en un edificio abandonado de Liberty Station
El incendio se reportó alrededor de las 8:35 p. m., según informaron los bomberos y rescatistas de San Diego.

La Guardia Costera rescata a migrantes de un barco a la deriva a 60 millas de la costa de San Diego
El barco fue encontrado el martes por la mañana y los migrantes fueron llevados a bordo de un helicóptero

Fire causes estimated $2.5 million damage to abandoned Liberty Station building
The fire was reported around 8:35 p.m. Wednesday and gutted the former recreational center

Coast Guard rescues migrants from drifting vessel 60 miles off San Diego coast
The boat was found Tuesday morning, and migrants were hoisted aboard a Coast Guard helicopter to safety

Arrest made in connection with 2023 shooting, body-burning in South Bay
Dwight Rhone, 73, is accused of shooting and then burning the body of Bernardo Moreno, 54, on Interstate 5

Detienen contrabando nocturno luego de que disparos impactaran el motor de una panga en San Diego
Un avión del CBP detectó una panga cruzando la línea fronteriza marítima alrededor de las 9:35 p.m. del pasado martes

Acusan a recluso de San Diego de matar a su cómplice de asesinato anterior en el patio de la prisión
Tyler Yates, de 30 años, está acusado de matar a Jake Kennedy, de 32 años

Pedestrian dies after being struck by vehicle in Encinitas
A pedestrian was killed after being struck by a vehicle on Jupiter Street near North Coast Highway around 6 p.m. Sunday.

Un informe señala que “no se infringió ninguna ley” tras la muerte de una yegua preñada en un rodeo de San Diego
Los investigadores anunciaron el jueves que no presentarían cargos