Cassandra Light, a San Diego life coach, is recovering from devastating leg injuries after gunmen opened fire during an attempted carjacking while she was driving home from Rosarito. Her nearly 2-year-old golden retriever, Ellie, was in the car during the attack and reportedly refused to leave her side through the chaotic emergency response. Light has already undergone multiple surgeries and is expected to need months of physical therapy for severe damage to her leg.
According to the New York Post, an assailant fired several shots at Light's car in Tijuana. One bullet went through the driver's-side window and exited through the passenger door. The Post reports that another round shattered both her tibia and fibula, forcing surgeons to insert a metal plate, a rod and several screws to stabilize the leg. Witnesses used a tourniquet to slow heavy bleeding before she was rushed to a Tijuana emergency room and later moved to a hospital in San Diego.
U.S. travel advisory for Baja California
The U.S. Department of State currently urges travelers to exercise increased caution in Mexico and notes that violent crimes, including carjacking and armed robbery, occur in parts of Baja California. The advisory dated May 29, 2026, also warns that U.S. government employees should avoid driving between cities after dark and should rely on regulated taxis or app-based services when available, according to the U.S. Department of State.
How San Diegans can lower risk
Local safety guides and border-travel resources note that most violent incidents are concentrated outside typical tourist corridors and that driving yourself along the Rosarito to Tijuana route can carry additional risk. They recommend traveling in groups, keeping a low profile and planning routes through well-patrolled areas. When possible, use regulated taxi stands or app-based ride services, avoid night driving between cities and keep valuables out of sight, according to Baja Daily News.
Fundraiser, recovery and unanswered questions
According to the New York Post, Light has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover medical expenses and rehabilitation costs. Updates cited in the article say Ellie stayed with her during the ambulance ride and through her surgeries. The Post also reports that police had not publicly announced any arrests as of its story, and the status of the investigation remains uncertain. Friends and supporters are sharing the fundraiser and urging anyone with information to come forward.
The shooting underscores how unpredictable violent crime can be in border communities and the added precautions travelers may want to take, even on quick trips just south of the border. Officials and Light's family have continued to post periodic updates, and we will keep an eye on official statements and the fundraiser for further developments.
