Fatal shooting in El Centro leaves one dead

EL CENTRO — Authorities on Tuesday announced the suspect responsible for Monday’s fatal shooting here in the 3500 block of Mustard Seed Lane does not appear to be a threat to the general public.

The suspect, who remains at large and has only been described as a male dressed in dark clothing, was not observed in the company of anyone else during the shooting, which left a 28-year-old El Centro man dead.

The suspect reportedly fled the scene Monday night on foot toward Fourth Street.

“Our personnel and allied agencies have worked tirelessly throughout the night and day, and while they continue with the investigation, the information obtained shows no indication there is a threat to the general public,” an El Centro Police Department press release on Tuesday stated.

At approximately 10 p.m. Monday, El Centro police responded to a report of gunshots fired in the 300 block of Jackrabbit Drive.

Responding o cers encountered the victim in the front yard of a home on Mustard Seed, which intersects with Jackrabbit.

The victim was found with multiple gunshots to his abdomen, according to a recording of police scanner traffic on Broadcastify.com.

While the specific number of gunshot wounds that the victim sustained has not been disclosed, ECPD call logs stated 10 shots were heard by a reporting party.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, and a deputy coroner was requested by 10:40 p.m. Monday, ECPD call logs stated.

The victim had been living at the residence for the past two years with a woman and three young children, according to a nearby neighbor who asked to remain anonymous.

The victim was reportedly cleaning his vehicle in his garage just before the shooting, according to the neighbor.

The neighbor said they believed the victim was shot in his garage and subsequently collapsed on his front lawn. The neighbor said they heard more than 10 shots.

“It looks like they came with that intent to kill,” the resident said. “They targeted him.”

The neighbor, whose spouse is a law enforcement official, said it was known among law enforcement families living within the vicinity that the victim had a questionable past and that neighbors should keep their distance.

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone from the community with information related to the incident is asked to please call Detective Lopez at (760) 352-2111, ext. 1331.