A birthday party at a San Diego-area apartment complex swimming pool ended in a hail of bullets on Sunday night after a gunman opened fire on the crowd, witnesses said.
According to police, at least one person was killed and seven others were wounded, “several” of them critically. Their identities have not yet been released.
Around 6 p.m., panicked 9-1-1 calls about the attack sent police to the La Jolla Crossroads apartment complex in University City.
A police helicopter flew over the complex and spotted the gunman, who appeared to be reloading, San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman said at a press conference.
The first three officers to arrive on scene ordered the suspect to drop the weapon. When he allegedly aimed the weapon at them, the police shot and killed him.
The suspect was later identified as 49-year-old Peter Selis, the local ABC affiliate reported. Earlier in the evening, Zimmerman described him as a white male, wearing brown shorts and armed with a gun.
At the time of this writing, investigators haven’t determined a motive for the shooting.
About 30 people were at the pool when the shooting occurred. One witness, a resident of the complex, said the gunman was chillingly cool. He spotted the shooter from a window of the complex clubhouse.
“We could see the shooter sitting there with a beer in one hand and the gun in the other,” the witness told Fox 5. “He was pretty relaxed, pretty relaxed.”
The witness went on to describe the scene: “Two people already lying on the ground, one was trying to crawl to the other one to help.”
Shahrayar Jeff told the San Diego Union-Tribune that his 8-year-old granddaughter was at the pool and saw the gunman drinking beer “and shooting.”
It was “very cold blooded,” Jeff added.
One unidentified witness told the newspaper that the shooting occurred at his best friend’s birthday party. He said he was returning from the bathroom when the gunfire began. His best friend was among those shot, the witness said.
“Our hearts go out to all the victims, their families and anyone who witnessed this tragic event,” Zimmerman said at the press conference.
Police are asking for public’s help in solving this case. Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact authorities.
This is a developing story. More to come...
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
