A wellness check at a Del Cerro apartment complex turned into a homicide investigation Wednesday after San Diego police found a person dead and deployed a SWAT team to search the unit, closing a stretch of College Avenue in the process. Neighbors told officers they had heard gunshots Tuesday night near the 5700 block of College Avenue, according to the seed facts in this report.
The response began after an employee asked officers to check on an individual who had not shown up for work, according to 10News. When officers arrived at the apartment complex, they found the person dead, and the San Diego Police Department reported that northbound College Avenue was closed at Del Cerro Boulevard because of the incident. Investigators later discovered shell casings inside the apartment. After SWAT personnel had entered the unit and backed out, they requested additional SWAT resources and deployed an indoor drone, as reported by CBS 8.
The Drone's Role in the Search
The drone was used to inspect the residence for additional occupants.
The use of specialized drones in SWAT operations is not unregulated. California's Assembly Bill 481, signed into state law in September 2021, requires law enforcement agencies, including SDPD, to secure approval from their local governing body and publicly disclose policies covering military-style gear, including tactical drones and armored vehicles, per reporting from KPBS Public Media.
What Prompted the Welfare Check
The response began after an employee asked officers to check on a person who had not shown up for work. Neighbors reported hearing gunshots Tuesday night near College Avenue.
The Incident Location
The incident took place on College Avenue in Del Cerro.
The incident also lands against a backdrop of falling violent crime citywide. The City of San Diego reported in March that homicides dropped 25% in 2025 compared to the previous year, with detectives solving or identifying suspects in 26 of 27 murder cases. That followed data analyzed by Axios the prior August showing San Diego homicides had fallen nearly 30% during the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
Even so, the department has faced strain on the staffing side. A public safety report published by Omnilert in April indicated SDPD faces a persistent deficit of more than 200 officers. Police have not released additional details about the identity of the person found dead or the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
