San Diego

Deputies Find Body Inside Car in Suspected Valley Center Homicide

If someone has information that leads to an arrest in this case, they could receive a reward up to $1,000.

San Diego County Sheriff’s Department homicide detectives are investigating fatal shooting in Valley Center Monday.

Deputies responded to reports of a possible fight in the 29200 block of Cole Grade Road north of Fruitvale Road just after 7 a.m. 

When they arrived, deputies found a man unresponsive inside a vehicle, with a gunshot wound to his torso. Deputies and paramedics attempted to treat the victim with first aid, but he died shortly after.

The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim as 28-year-old Jose Manuel Ortiz.

No arrests have been made. Deputies said the suspect is a man in his mid-20s who was last seen leaving the area in an older white car.

Anyone with information on this crime can call the Sheriff's Homicide Detail at 858-974-2321 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

If someone has information that leads to an arrest in this case, they could receive a reward up to $1,000, according to the SDSO. The location where the body was found is near two elementary schools, a library and a recreation center.

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