San Diego County Crime Stoppers and investigators from the San Diego Police  Department’s Western Division are asking for the public’s help in identifying and  locating the suspect(s) responsible for a string of incidents being investigated as hate  crimes in the Hillcrest area of San Diego. 

On Saturday May 18, 2024, just before 1:00 a.m., the San Diego Police Department  received reports about a pellet gun being fired out of a vehicle at a business on  University Ave. Upon further investigation by SDPD’s Western Division, they  discovered four other shootings involving gel pellets that are believed to be related,  including:  

• A man was hit by the gel pellets while walking with his wife in Old Town. No injuries  were sustained. This incident is not believed to be hate-motivated.  

• A security guard was hit on the arm at The Rail located on Fifth Ave. No injuries  were sustained.  

• The vehicle also fired upon the bar, Number One Fifth Ave. No injuries were  sustained.  

• Three people were hit, including one employee being hit in the eye, requiring minor  surgery at Rich’s Nightclub on University Ave.  

• The vehicle also fired upon Pecs Bar, located on University Ave., but no injuries  were sustained.  

Suspect(s) Vehicle Description: 

The suspect(s) vehicle is described as a newer, black sedan. 

Photo of the suspect(s) vehicle:

Anyone with information on the identity or location of the suspect(s) or the suspect(s) vehicle is asked to call SDPD’s Western Division at (619) 692-4805 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477. Please visit 

www.sdcrimestoppers.org for information on how to send a web or mobile app tip.  

Crime Stoppers in partnership with the San Diego LGBTQ+ Historic Task Force and  the Hate Crime Fund is offering a $2,000 reward to anyone with information that  leads to an arrest in these cases. 

• Media inquiries about this case can be directed to Captain Matt Dobbs at  (619) 692-4886 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

• Inquiries about Crime Stoppers can be directed to SDPD Officer Mark Herring  at (619) 531-1500 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Deputy Emilio Castillero at (619) 531-1547 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..