San Diego police say a 34-year-old man linked to a deadly 2023 shooting in Colina Del Sol was stopped at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry on Tuesday as he tried to re-enter the United States from Mexico. The suspect, identified as Jose Campas, was booked into jail on an allegation tied to the killing of 35-year-old bicyclist Kevin Billingsley.
Arrest at the border
Police publicly announced the detention at the port of entry and confirmed that Campas was taken to jail in connection with Billingsley’s death, according to 10News. The outlet reported that authorities did not immediately spell out the exact charges or say whether they expect to arrest anyone else.
What happened on El Cajon Boulevard
The shooting that set this case in motion unfolded on Dec. 21, 2023, in the 4900 block of El Cajon Boulevard in the Colina Del Sol neighborhood. Two San Diego police officers driving through the area saw a bicyclist gunned down by someone inside an SUV, according to California Insider. The victim, later identified as Billingsley, was rushed to a hospital, where he died. Investigators initially said the deadly encounter may have started with some kind of interaction or argument between the bicyclist and the people in the SUV.
Investigators identify occupants
Homicide detectives have since identified the occupants of that SUV and believe there was an interaction before shots were fired, police told reporters, per 10News. Aside from confirming Campas’ detention, officials have kept a tight lid on details, offering no public information yet about a possible motive or any additional leads.
How to help
Detectives are asking anyone with information about the killing to contact the SDPD Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or reach out anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477, according to California Insider. Tipsters can remain anonymous through Crime Stoppers.
Border arrests and investigation complexity
San Diego-area ports of entry have figured into homicide investigations before, including cases where suspects were picked up while trying to come back into the country, according to a City of San Diego press release from the City of San Diego. That cross-border wrinkle can make cases more complicated, especially when it comes to gathering evidence and coordinating among multiple agencies on both sides of the border.
The SDPD Homicide Unit is continuing to investigate and has not yet released further information on formal charges tied to Campas’ arrest. This story will be updated as more public details emerge.
