DEAD SUSPECT IN TIJUANA OFFICER’S KILLING ALSO WANTED IN CHULA VISTA FATAL SHOOTING

An on-duty police officer was shot and killed near a Tijuana shopping center Tuesday, and the suspected gunman — a fugitive from Chula Vista — was later fatally shot in an exchange of gunfire with police, authorities said.

The officer, identified by the Tijuana police department as Luis Montoya, had parked his patrol car in front of the Diana Cazadora roundabout on the corner with the Pueblo Amigo Shopping Center around 10:40 a.m. when he was ambushed, according to investigators.

Montoya suffered a gunshot wound to the head. Red Cross paramedics treated him at the scene and transferred him to a Red Cross hospital, where he died hours later.

The gunman fled toward the Marquez de Leon bridge toward downtown Tijuana, and witnesses directed arriving officers in that direction. During the chase, the suspect shot at officers and police returned fire, fatally striking him in the head, according to the Tijuana police department.

The suspect was identified as David Sanabia, a 40-year-old U.S. citizen.

Chula Vista police Lt. Dan Peak confirmed Sanabia was wanted on suspicion of attempted homicide for a shooting that occurred on Dec. 13 on Barrett Avenue just north of Agua Tibia Avenue.

Police said Sanabia, a Chula Vista resident, shot a 33-year-old man multiple times in the doorway of the victim’s home. Sanabia fled to Mexico following the shooting, Peak said.

Records show Sanabia was also wanted on a no-bail bench warrant for being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition.