A woman remained hospitalized Sunday morning with injuries considered "life threatening" after her husband shot her in the head and arm Saturday afternoon just north of San Diego's congested downtown Gaslamp area, police said.
The victim, 57, was transported by ambulance to Mercy Hospital.
Her husband, 83, was arrested shortly after allegedly firing several rounds about 2:15 p.m. on Fifth Avenue and Broadway.
A witness said the husband and wife were involved in a physical altercation before the suspect lifted up his shirt, pulled out a gun and fired before dropping the gun and casually walking away.
Many people ran away from the scene screaming, a second witness said.
Security guards at a nearby hotel ran to the victim's aid, holding down the suspect until police arrived.
Officers have identified the husband and wife but are not officially releasing their names pending next-of-kin notification.
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The suspect was booked into San Diego County Jail.
San Diego police and San Diego fire responded and closed all traffic within an approximate one-block radius from the scene, affecting what is a busy route for city buses.
A SIG alert was filed about 3:50 p.m., warning motorists to anticipate Fourth Avenue through Sixth Avenue along Broadway to be closed over the next two to three hours.
Police interviewed multiple witnesses, as dozens of pedestrians gathered around the crime scene's greater area while the investigation was underway.
Police then closed the immediate sidewalk area to all pedestrians who weren't witnesses.
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