911 Dispatcher Who Took Murder-Suicide Call Knew Victim

Kirsten Deanne Jelinski was fatally shot by her boyfriend in apparent murder-suicide attempt, police say

A North County woman fatally shot Wednesday afternoon by her boyfriend in Oceanside was being mourned by the softball community as “outgoing” and a “beautiful soul.”

Kirsten Deanne Jelinski’s connection to the softball community in North County ran so deep that her death carried a heartbreaking coincidence: the 911 dispatcher who took the call of her shooting was the mom of one her softball friends.

On Thursday, community members were reeling from her death.

“She’s somebody you’d see in a movie being your childhood friend – like in a movie,” said close friend Stephanie Kellie. “The best person in your life that can help you grow.”

Police said her boyfriend, not yet identified, shot the 25-year-old inside a condo at 4215 Vista del Rio Way before turning the gun on himself. He survived, but was on life support at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla on Thursday afternoon.

Jelinski was an accomplished softball outfielder who played for Villanova University in Pennsylvania. She attended both Mission Hills and San Marcos high schools and earned three varsity letters in softball while also playing basketball and volleyball.

Friends of Jelinski said she grew up playing softball in North County. They described her as outgoing, a great daughter and a proud sister to two brothers – one of whom heard the shooting and made the 911 call.

“Just this morning I was thinking what would I want on my gravestone and everything I could think that she is … such a beautiful soul,” Kellie said.

Jelenski’s friends are planning a softball game on April 19 to remember her and raise money to help her family.

Meanwhile, the investigation into what police say was an apparent murder-suicide attempt is ongoing. Police have released little information, including any possible motive.

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