Crime Stoppers: Homicide in Otay Mesa 

September 29, 2023 - San Diego County Sheriff’s Department officials report that the Sheriff's Homicide Unit and San Diego County Crime Stoppers want the public’s assistance in identifying and locating the suspects responsible for a homicide near the U.S.-Mexico border fence in Otay Mesa.

On July 28 just after 1:30 p.m., CAL FIRE San Diego firefighters located a man who had been shot near the base of the border fence, approximately three miles east of the Otay Mesa Port of Entry.

Sheriff's Deputies were subsequently contacted to investigate the shooting. The victim of the shooting was transported to a hospital for treatment of his injuries. He told deputies that he and his friend had crossed into the United States through a gap in the border fence earlier in the night. After crossing, they were contacted by a group of four Hispanic men. The suspects asked the victim and his friend who they had paid to cross the border.  When the victim informed the suspects they had not paid, he and his friend were forced to walk up a mountain, ordered to get on their knees and both were shot.

After the suspects left, the victim checked on his friend, but he was deceased. The victim walked along the border fence until he ran into CAL FIRE San Diego firefighters.

The suspects may be associated with the Hotel Libertad in Tijuana.

At this time, the only information on the suspects are composite sketches of three of the four men involved in the shootings.

The shooter (shown in the above sketch) is described as a Hispanic man standing about 5'7" tall with a skinny build. He was wearing a backwards FOX hat.

Another suspect is described as a Hispanic man between 35 and 40 years old, standing about 5'9" tall with a medium build. 

Another suspect is described as a Hispanic man between 25 and 30 years old, standing about 5'9" tall with a skinny build.

If you have any information about this incident or recognize any of the suspects, call the Sheriff's Homicide Unit at (858) 285-6330.

You can also call the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477.  Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest in this case.  Please visit www.sdcrimestoppers.org for information on how to send a web or mobile app tips.  

Source & photos: San Diego County Sheriff’s Department