UP TO $1000

San Diego County Crime Stoppers along with investigators from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Unit are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying and locating the suspect(s) responsible for a homicide in the Otay Mesa area near the U.S./ Mexico border fence.

On July 28 2023, at about 1:35 a.m., Cal-Fire firefighters located a gunshot wound victim near the base of the border fence, approximately three miles east of the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. Sheriff's deputies were subsequently contacted to investigate the shooting. The victim of the shooting was transported to a local hospital and reported that he and his friend had crossed into the United States through a gap in the border fence earlier in the night. After crossing, they were contacted by a group of Hispanic males. The suspects asked the victim and his friend who they had paid to cross the border. When the victim informed the suspects they had not paid, he and his friend were forced to walk up a mountain, ordered to get on their knees and both were shot.

After the suspects left, the victim checked on his friend, but he was deceased. The victim walked along the border fence until running into Cal-Fire fire fighters. The suspects may be associated with the Hotel Libertad in Tijuana.

Description of suspects:

The only information on the suspects are composite sketches of three of the four Hispanic males involved.

Anyone with information on the identity or location of the suspects is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Unit at (858) 285-6330 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477. Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest in this case. Visit the Crime Stoppers website at www.sdcrimestoppers.org for more information on how to send anonymous web and mobile app tips.

• Media inquiries about this case can be directed to Sergeant Tim Chantler at (858) 285-6330 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
• Media inquiries about Crime Stoppers can be directed to Deputy Marcial Lopez at (619) 531-1547 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..