United States

2nd Arrest in Killing of Sailor Who Stopped to Help Driver on Interstate 15

Nearly two months after the shooting death of a U.S. sailor who stopped to help what appeared to be a stranded motorist on a San Diego highway, investigators booked a second suspect in jail on a first-degree murder charge.

SW3 Curtis Fitzherbert Adams, 21, was killed on Oct. 27 after he and his girlfriend pulled over on Interstate 15 to help the driver of a car along the side of the road.

Two men will face first-degree murder charges in connection with the shooting. Brandon Acuna was taken into custody immediately but Edson Acuna, 24, was arrested just Tuesday by authorities in Mexico. 

As the sailor approached the car, he was shot. NBC 7's Ramon Galindo has the details.

Edson Acuna was booked into jail Tuesday on charges of first-degree murder, robbery, burglary, shooting at an inhabited dwelling or vehicle and possession of a firearm. All five charges are felonies.  He is slated to be arraigned in court on Wednesday.

Brandon Javier Acuna was arrested on Oct. 27 and pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, robbery, burglary and shooting at an inhabited dwelling or vehicle when he appeared in court on Oct. 31.

Officers later discovered Brandon, 21, was allegedly involved in another shooting just minutes before Adams' death.

Recent tragic incidents on local freeways have motorists thinking twice about stopping. NBC 7's Steven Luke on how to stay safe while helping stranded motorists.

Adams was born in New York and enlisted in the Navy in March 2016, according to the Navy Times. He reported to Amphibious Construction Battalion 1 in San Diego on Sept. 30, 2016, the site reported, where he worked as a steelworker constructionman.

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