San Diego

Police Investigate Homicide in North Clairemont

William Barton, 47, was found dead inside a home on Gaylord Drive Friday afternoon

Police launched a homicide investigation Friday at a home in Clairemont where a man was found dead.

Just before 2:30 p.m., the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) received a 911 call asking officers to check on the well-being of a man at a home along the 5100 block of Gaylord Drive.

When officers and medics arrived at the home, they found the man, who had suffered severe trauma to his body, dead.

That man has been identified by police as San Diego resident William Barton, 47. Police are investigating his death as a homicide.

Concerned neighbors told NBC 7 they think the victim may have called in sick to work Friday; some neighbors said they believe Barton lived alone and rarely had visitors.

Neighbor Krystal Brown told NBC 7 Barton “kept to himself.”

“Nobody bothered him, he didn’t bother anybody; he just did what he had to do,” said Brown. “He doesn’t cause any trouble; he doesn’t bother anybody. He goes to work, he comes to work, he does his daily thing, and he doesn’t bother anyone.”

Neighbor Robert De Estrada said he was shocked when investigators knocked on his door to tell him of the crime on the usually quiet street in Clairemont.

“You don’t expect it; not in this neighborhood, and not him,” said De Estrada. “He was a good neighbor in that respect. You wouldn’t have to worry about him. You just say, ‘That’s Barton, he’s doing his thing.’”

De Estrada said Barton had lived in the neighborhood for a long time, which makes his death even more shocking.

“Then you see these crime scenes put up and [his house] was barricaded by a bunch of cops. The last 24 hours – it’s a shock,” he added.

The investigation is ongoing; anyone with information can call the SDPD Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. No further details were released.

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