San Diego

Shooting in Chula Vista Prompts Lockdown at Eastlake HS

Suspect Christian Olmos, 18, tried to shoplift alcohol from a Walgreens in Eastlake and ended up firing a gun in the store's parking lot

An attempted shoplifting led to a shooting and search for the gunman in Eastlake Friday, Chula Vista police confirmed. In the middle of the search, two schools were placed on lockdown including nearby Eastlake High School.

The suspect, 18-year-old Christian Olmos, attempted to steal alcohol from the Walgreens on Eastlake Parkway at 8:18 a.m., according to Chula Vista Police Capt. Eric Thunberg.

As employees prevented the robbery, Olmos pulled out a gun and threatened employees. He then walked out into the parking lot, as employees followed. When they neared Eastlake Parkway, Olmos pulled out the gun again and fired one round toward one employee.

The bullet missed the victim.

Olmos ran from the shopping center, police said, and fled to a nearby apartment complex. He was found a short time later and arrested. He had the loaded gun on him, police said.

Nearby Eastlake High School was placed on lockdown as a precaution, according to officials with the Sweetwater Union High School District and Chula Vista police.

The lockdown at Eastlake HS was lifted at 9 a.m.

Classes were only on lockdown for approximately 30 minutes, SUHSD spokesperson Manny Rubio said. He added that Eastlake HS was the only school in the district on lockdown. 

Anthony Millican, spokesperson for the Chula Vista Elementary School District said only one of the district's schools was placed on lockdown - Olympic View Elementary. The all-clear has been given and classes have resumed. Two to three other schools in the district farther away from the incident were placed on “secure school status,” Millican said.

An image shared by a Chula Vista resident showed police patrol vehicles near the corner of Eastlake Parkway and Corte Vista. 

The intersection is directly east of a shopping center with Walmart and The Home Depot stores. 

Eastlake High School, located on Eastlake Parkway, serves more than 2,800 students.

Olmos was booked into county jail for charges of robbery, residential burglary, and assault with a deadly weapon. Investigators said Olmos had committed a residential burglary on Santa Rita a few hours before the shoplifting attempt and shooting. He had stolen the loaded gun from that home.

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