A hefty reward amounting to $53,000 is now being offered for information leading to an arrest in the 2006 cold case killing of a San Diego-based U.S. Navy sailor, authorities announced Monday.
The Governor’s Office is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information in the murder of 22-year-old Ronald Harnish. That amount has been added to a $1,000 reward offered by San Diego County Crime Stoppers and a $2,000 reward offered by Harnish’s friends and family for answers in the 9-year-old cold case.
On Dec. 27, 2006, at around 10 p.m., Harnish and his friends were driving in the 1100 block of 30th Street. Investigators with the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) say the group pulled over, got out of the car and got into a confrontation with two unknown men who were sitting on the sidewalk.
One of the men pulled out a gun and fired at the group. Harnish was critically wounded by the gunfire and died at the scene. A second victim was also shot and wounded, but survived, according to investigators.
To this day, no arrests have been made in the case gone cold. There is no description of the shooting suspect.
Nearly a decade later, detectives are hoping to spur new leads with the combined $53,000 reward, which will be paid on arrest and conviction in the case. The reward in this cold case has increased several times over the years as the Navy sailor's family awaits justice.
Anyone with information on Harnish’s murder should call Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. Tipsters can remain anonymous and can also provide information to authorities via email and text at sdcrimestoppers.com.
Harnish was in the Navy. About six weeks before his death, he had been accepted in the Navy SEAL program.
