A manhunt is underway for the person who shot at a house party in National City, leaving one person dead and four others injured. NBC 7’s M.G. Perez has the latest.
A shooting broke out at a large house party in National City late Friday night, killing one 12-year-old boy and injuring four other people, according to National City police.
National City police officers responded to reports of gunshots at 945 N Ave. around 11:49 p.m.
Officers arrived at the scene to find an abandoned house that was being used for a large party of more than 100 people, mostly teenagers and young adults, according to NCPD Capt. Derek Aydelotte. Officers soon requested more help due to the number of injured, the amount of partygoers and reports that shooting suspects were still on the scene, police said.
The suspect(s) fled the scene before police arrived, according to NCPD. At this time, no one is in custody.
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Four male victims were shot and taken to a hospital while one person died at the scene, despite lifesaving efforts, police said.
The deceased was identified as Elijah Smith, 12, NCPD confirmed to NBC 7 on Sunday.
Partygoers who wished to remain anonymous told NBC 7 reporter M.G. Perez that they saw the party advertised on Instagram.
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Witnesses also told NBC 7 they heard gunshots but thought they were part of the loud music playing at the party.
NBC 7 spoke with neighbors on Saturday about the shooting (watch in the video below).
"First we saw the party and we were going to call the cops because there was a lot of noise and a bunch of kids were like with phone flashlights and then we heard a bunch of yelling," said neighbor Lara Cano. "Then they turned down the music and were yelling each others names," she said.
"I heard, I think it was five gunshots, and then the kids started running everywhere. That way – that way, and that’s when they knocked down the fence and then maybe like five kids jumped over this fence and then that’s when we heard the police coming," Cano said.
Detectives are still investigating this incident. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call the NCPD nonemergency number at 619-336-4411 and ask to speak to a detective. Anonymous phone calls can be made by contacting Crime Stoppers at 619-531-1500 or www.sdcrimestoppers.org.
Personnel from San Diego Police Department, Chula Vista Police Department, San Diego County Sheriff's Department and Harbor Police all responded to the crime scene.
