New details emerge in fatal carjacking attempt

A San Diego man pleaded not guilty Monday to a charge of murder in the fatal shooting of a 79-year-old man, who was killed in a failed attempt to steal his car in Bay Ho last week.

Francisco Villegas, 21, was arraigned in San Diego Superior Court. He also faces a special-circumstance allegation that he killed the victim during the commission of an attempted carjacking.

The special circumstance means Villegas could face either life in prison or the possibility of execution if convicted. The decision by the district attorney whether to pursue the death penalty will not be made until the court case is further along.

New details emerged Monday, including that video surveillance caught the shooter’s flight after the killing, according to Deputy District Attorney Michael Reilly.

The name of Villegas’ defense attorney was not immediately available.

In the hours before the shooting, according to the prosecutor, Villegas was in a car that broke down. Reilly said that Villegas left the car, fearing an encounter with police because he was carrying a gun — which, as a convicted felon, he was not allowed to possess.

About 5:15 a.m. May 2, according to police, Jose Quirin was parked in front of the building where he worked on Morena Boulevard. He had just made the commute north from Rosarito, Mexico. Quirin was in his driver’s seat when a man approached and demanded his car, police said. Quirin did not comply. The man shot Quirin through the driver’s side window.

The gunman fled. Quirin drove to a McDonald’s on Mission Bay Drive and asked for help. Police rendered aid until paramedics arrived and took Quirin to a hospital, where he died.

Reilly said video shows the suspected shooter make his way to a trolley station and get on board. He said trolley security footage gave police a clear look at the suspect’s face and tattoos, and that led them to identify Villegas as a suspect.

Villegas was arrested the next day for violating his probation for a 2021 felony robbery conviction. He was already jailed when police rebooked him on suspicion of murder.

Villegas remains jailed without bail. He is due back in court later this month for a status hearing.