A man shot late Wednesday night in San Diego's Southcrest neighborhood has died, and police have not announced a suspect in custody as the investigation continues into Thursday. Officers were called around 11 p.m. to reports of a shooting near 39th and Gamma streets, where they found a man suffering from injuries. He was rushed to a hospital, where he later died.
The San Diego Police Department is now investigating the case as a homicide, according to 10News, which reported on the shooting and the victim's death. As of early Thursday morning, no suspect had been confirmed in custody, and police had not released additional details about what led up to the shooting or a possible motive. It remains unclear whether the victim knew the person responsible or whether the shooting stemmed from a localized dispute.
Southeastern Division Handles Patrol as Homicide Unit Investigates
Southcrest falls under the jurisdiction of the San Diego Police Department's Southeastern Division, which serves neighborhoods in the area, according to the City of San Diego. Southeastern Division handles patrol in the area, while SDPD's central Homicide Unit investigates the killing. Anyone with information can contact SDPD Homicide detectives directly at (619) 531-2293, or reach San Diego County Crime Stoppers anonymously at (888) 580-8477, which offers rewards up to $1,000 for tips that help solve cases.
Crime Stoppers offers anonymous tip channels by phone, web, and mobile app. That structure matters in cases where, as here, investigators have not released a suspect description or named a person of interest, leaving tips from residents and any surveillance footage in the area as potentially critical leads.
A Neighborhood That Has Seen Major Cases Before
Southcrest has drawn significant law enforcement attention in recent months. In June, prosecutors charged 74-year-old Dwight Rhone with three additional murders after human remains were found buried under a residential property in the neighborhood in late 2025, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. That case involved special-circumstance allegations spanning four killings dating back to 1993. The neighborhood was also central to a gang prosecution earlier this year, when three men were sentenced to life without parole for gang-related shootings across Southcrest, Mountain View, and Bay Terraces.
Southcrest has also been the subject of public-safety discussions. Community members and police discuss ongoing safety concerns in the neighborhood. The neighborhood has local civic and planning connections.
Citywide Homicides Have Fallen Even as Local Incidents Persist
Wednesday's shooting comes as San Diego continues to monitor homicides and non-fatal shootings citywide.
Under California Penal Code Section 187, murder is defined as the unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought, carrying a sentence of 15 years to life for second-degree murder and 25 years to life for first-degree murder, according to the Shouse Law Group. Prosecutors would need to prove malice beyond a reasonable doubt if a suspect is eventually identified and charged. For now, SDPD has released no further details, and the investigation remains active.
