The teen accused of stabbing his friend in Chula Vista, leaving behind a long trail of blood nearly to the border, has turned himself in, police said.
Joe Andrew Cortez, 18, of Tijuana surrendered Thursday at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. He was arrested on a murder warrant by Chula Vista police and U.S. Marshal’s officers and booked in the San Diego County Central Jail.
Police said Cortez was staying the night at the apartment of 44-year-old Rene Macia Pressa, his coworker at a Chula Vista restaurant. The two got into an argument and police said Cortez stabbed Pressa, then ran away.
Chula Vista Police were called to the second-story building at 45 3rd Avenue at approximately 1:30 a.m. April 23. The crime scene is located east of Interstate 5 and south of State Route 54.
Pressa was found lying in his doorway, suffering from “severe injuries,” police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
Cortez was also injured in the stabbing, police said, and left a mile-long blood trail as he walked barefoot to the border.
