A 16-year-old girl was found in an East County motel room Monday morning with a possible gunshot wound to her head, according to the El Cajon Police Department.
Police officers were called to the El Cajon Inn & Suites Motel by the girl’s family. Her relatives told authorities they believed the teen was dead inside one of the rooms.
Authorities found the teen alone inside a room alive but with what they described as a “traumatic head injury.” Hospital staff suspects the wound came from a gunshot.
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Investigators say the teen and her friends stayed at the motel on Sunday, but witnesses told NBC 7 the motel room was host to a week-long party.
"Unbelievable. I thought it was untrue. That can’t happen here," a motel resident named Laura said. The 16-year-old was one of two teenage girls and four or five males, ranging in age from teens to early twenties, staying there.
"I want to say spring break, but I know we’re not in the spring. It was teenagers just having fun," Laura said.
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Another resident said she had to ask the group to quiet down at one point.
"They were just partying," she said. "It was irresponsible. Parents dropping their kids off to party."
The teenage victim was not on the registry, according to the motel owner, but was a guest of a group sharing two rooms rented out by two middle-aged men. He said the men told him they were renting the rooms out for family members.
Witnesses say they saw the teens check out late Sunday night.
Anyone with information on the incident is urged to report it to the El Cajon Police Department Major Crimes Tip Line at 619-441-5530. Anonymous tips can be made by contacting Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
