Security guard killed in Pacific Beach shooting near Crystal Pier, no arrests made

A 31-year-old unarmed security guard was fatally shot near Mission Boulevard and Garnet Avenue in Pacific Beach around 2 a.m. Monday. No suspects are in custody.

Unarmed security guard fatally shot outside Pacific Beach hotel

San Diego police are investigating the fatal shooting of a 31-year-old unarmed security guard in Pacific Beach, according to 10news.com. The incident occurred around 2 a.m. Monday near Mission Boulevard and Garnet Avenue, close to Crystal Pier and the 710 Beach Club.

The victim, identified by police as Luis Alberto Quiroz-Arreola, had been working as a security guard at the Crystal Pier Hotel & Cottages for six months. Workers and customers in the area heard multiple gunshots and found Quiroz-Arreola injured. He was transported to hospital, where he later died.

Julie Neal, co-owner of the Crystal Pier Hotel & Cottages, confirmed Quiroz-Arreola was employed by the property at the time of the shooting. She described him as well-regarded by both staff and guests.

"He loved talking to the guests. We just talked to him last night, briefly — good night, have a good night," Neal said. "I know a lot of our young guys who work here; they like to fish at night sometimes, and they would talk to him. So they're pretty shook up."

Neal stressed that security guards at the property were never intended to face physical danger. "They're not meant to be put in harm's way. They're just patrolling to kind of be a distraction," she said.

In the aftermath of the shooting, Neal said the hotel would reconsider how its security personnel are deployed. "I don't think we can even have a guard out here anymore. I think that our guards just need to stay behind the gate," she said. "I don't feel comfortable having anyone out here."

Neal had previously spoken with 10news.com about concerns over crime in the Crystal Pier area. She noted that following the shooting, residents have been rallying together. "When something happens, everybody's looking at their ring cameras and everything to see if someone basically saw this or that. So we pretty much have a huge watch group down here," she said.

Some bystanders reportedly attempted to assist the victim, while others tried to pursue the suspect. No arrests have been made.

The San Diego Police Department's Homicide Unit is continuing its investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)