Otay Mesa

1 Dead, 1 Injured in Shooting Near Otay Mesa West Recreation Center

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One person was killed and another was injured in a shooting near an Otay Mesa West recreation center Friday evening, according to San Diego police.

The victim who died was a man in his 20s. The injured victim was transported to a hospital in unknown condition, the San Diego Police Department said. A third person was injured but not by gunfire, according to SDPD.

The shooting occurred on the southern parking lot off of Coronado Avenue at around 7 p.m., nearby the Montgomery-Waller Recreation Center but not on the fields or at/inside the recreation center.

One witness said it sounded like a series of five shots.

"I didn't think it was gunshots," Margie Sanchez said. "I thought it was just somebody just shooting because it was Cinco de Mayo."

About 50 kids and adults were inside the recreation center for basketball practice at the time of the shooting.

Coach Julio Fonceca said people inside didn't risk going outside to see what was going on.

"We just locked down the situation. We made sure that every entrance and exit was monitored," Fonseca said. "The good thing is we were prepared. We had enough facility space to accommodate all the folks. We immediately made contact with the parents."

At this time, police do not have a description of the suspect and do not know if the shooting is gang-related.

San Diego Police Department responded to calls at 7:03 p.m. reporting the shooting.

SDPD's Homicide Unit is leading the active investigation, according to SDFD Officer Robert Heims.

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