2 Arrested in Deadly Escondido Shooting

A SWAT team was called to Ivy Lane on Wednesday night as the suspects were taken into custody for murder

SWAT officials were called to Escondido Wednesday night to assist the arrests two people accused of shooting and killing a 21-year-old man on the street.

Officials surrounded the 1000 block of Ivy Lane around 9:50 p.m.

The Escondido Police Department said an investigation by its Crimes of Violence and Gang Units had led officials to Juan Maldonado, 18, and Jessica Espinoza-Contreras, 19, both wanted in connection with the deadly shooting of Steven LaRussa.

Both suspects were taken into custody and booked into the Vista Detention Facility on a murder charge.
LaRussa, of Fallbrook, was shot multiple times Tuesday on Gamble Street near El Norte Parkway. He was taken to a local hospital but died from injuries sustained in the shooting.

Police said the investigation indicated the shooting was not a random act of violence.

The location of the incident was a half block west of Farr Elementary School and a half block east of Lincoln Elementary School. Farr Elementary was briefly on lockdown.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on this deadly shooting should contact Escondido Police Det. John O’Donnell at (760) 839-4756 or Det. Nick Rodelo at (760) 839-4422.
 

Contact Us