Man shot in neck in Otay Mesa dies 2 months later

A 27-year-old man who suffered severe injuries after being shot in his neck two months ago in Otay Mesa has died, police said.

Daniel Flores of San Diego was shot around 6:10 a.m. March 4 on Cactus Road south of Otay Mesa Road, Lt. Steve Shebloski said in a news release. Flores died Tuesday at a hospital.

He had been in stable condition at the hospital for several weeks, but his condition deteriorated, Shebloski said.

The shooting investigation was handed over to homicide detectives on Wednesday, Shebloski said. Investigators are now reviewing evidence and attempting to locate witnesses for additional interviews.

On the night of the deadly shooting, a witness reported finding a injured man in the street, Shebloski said. Officers and paramedics located the man — later identified as Flores — on the scene with severe injuries and he was rushed to a hospital, police said.

The victim was uncooperative with investigators, and did not provide details about the shooting, Shebloski said at the time.

Little is known about what led to the shooting, Shebloski said. There is no description of a suspect.

Detectives asked anyone with information to contact the homicide unit at (619) 531-2293 or San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

CALEB LUNETTA

U-T

Suspect arrested in home invasion, attempted sex assault BARRIO LOGAN

A man already behind bars on unrelated charges was arrested on suspiBoulevard. cion of sneaking into a Barrio Logan resident’s home two months ago and trying to sexually assault her, fleeing when she broke free and called for help, police said.

Darius Dewayne Hargrove, 28, allegedly entered the woman’s home on Boston Avenue near south 28th Street while she was asleep and attacked her about 3 a.m. March 25, according to the San Diego Police Department.

“The victim was able to get away and called police, but the (assailant) ran away before the officers arrived,” sex crimes Lt. Carmelin Rivera said.

Two weeks later, the department released photos of the suspected perpetrator and sought the public’s help in identifying him. Subsequent tips led to the arrest of Hargrove on suspicion of burglary and assault with intent to commit rape.

Hargrove had been jailed April 20 on suspicion of arson, narcotics offenses, violating a court order, and lewd and disorderly conduct. He is being held in lieu of $1.09 million bail. His arraignment in the sexual assault case is scheduled for Monday in San Diego Superior Court.

Murder trial ordered for suspect in vet’s heart attack death

ROLANDO

A man accused of causing an 88-yearold veterinarian’s fatal heart attack by attempting to break into the victim’s Rolando clinic was ordered Friday to stand trial on a murder charge.

Patrick O’Brien, 38, is charged with murder in the June 15, 2022, death of Clark Kelly, a longtime veterinarian at Boulevard Animal Clinic on El Cajon O’Brien was arrested near the clinic shortly after the alleged attempted break-in, found sitting near a trash bin about 30 feet from the clinic.

Though Kelly was found inside the clinic with a head wound, San Diego County’s chief medical examiner testified Thursday that Kelly died of a stress-induced heart attack, then likely fell and struck the floor or a desk.

Dr. Steven Campman said the death was classified as a homicide. He testified that if not for the stress caused by the attempted break-in, Kelly would not have died.

Deputy District Attorney Andrew Aguilar argued in court that the evidence supported the murder charge and cited another case in which a victim died of a heart attack and a defendant was convicted of first-degree murder.

In that case, the defendant had punched the victim, who died of a heart attack one hour later.

O’Brien’s defense attorney, Peter Will, argued that the other fatal heart attack case mentioned by the prosecutor involved an assault. Will said there was no evidence showing any physical contact between O’Brien and Kelly.

San Diego Superior Court Judge Joan Weber said the evidence supported that O’Brien attempted to get into the clinic and that he had a verbal altercation with Kelly.

Weber called the “fear” in Kelly’s voice during a recording of the 911 call he made “compelling evidence” of the stress Kelly was under at the time.

Though she described it as “obviously a very unusual felony murder case,” Weber ruled there was enough evidence to support the murder charge.