Chula Vista police are investigating the killing of a 17-year-old boy shot at Sunset View Park, the department confirmed.
The shooting was reported at the park in the 1350 block of Greensview Drive at around 7:20 p.m. Thursday, according to Lt. Eric Thunberg.
When police arrived at the scene, they found the boy on the ground in a parking lot and could see he had been shot. Despite attempts to save him by officers and paramedics, who brought him to Scripps Mercy Hospital, the teen's wounds were fatal.
Investigators determined the boy went to the park with some friends and at some point got into an argument with a group of other people, one of whom pulled out a handgun and shot him.
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Witnesses told police that the shooter was with three other males, all of whom fled the scene in a dark-colored four-door car, possibly a Honda or Acura.
"As a parent, I cannot imagine what this young person’s family must be going through right now," Chula Vista City Councilman Steve Padilla said on Friday afternoon via a statement released by his office. "My heart goes out to the family and their loved ones during this very difficult time.... As the investigation progresses, I am in constant communication with the chief of police to monitor the situation. Ensuring that the necessary resources are available to keep our communities safe is my highest priority."
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Police said they have not established a connection to another shooting that took place in the same park on March 6. A 15-year-old boy was shot in the incident; his wound was not life-threatening, according to several published reports.
City Councilman John McCann, who has a personal connection to the park, said in a post on NextDoor that the city was adding police patrols to the area.
"Sunset View Park is a family park where I helped coach both my sons in soccer, " noted McCann, who is the father of an 18- and a 20-year-old. "So I share the concerns with you and our community. Our police department has added heavy patrols in and around that area."
Anybody with information about the shooting is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477, where tips can be called in anonymously.
