Point Loma

Police arrest man suspected of injuring his mother, killing 2 others in Point Loma shooting

The gunfire rang out shortly before 4 p.m. near the intersection of Zola Street and Chatsworth Boulevard, according to the San Diego Police Department

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First responders were sent out Wednesday afternoon to San Diego's Point Loma neighborhood after a shooting, police said.

Three people were shot, two fatally, when gunfire rang out shortly before 4 p.m. near the intersection of Zola Street and Chatsworth Boulevard, according to Officer John Buttle with the San Diego Police Department.

A 60-year-old man, who is believed to live at the residence, was at the front of the house when officers arrived and was taken into custody without struggle, Campbell said.

The shooting took place at a gray single-family home in the 3600 block of Zola Street, which is about a block from Point Loma High School and the Sixth Church of Christ, Scientist. At least a half-dozen patrol cars were on the scene, with police tape blocking Zola from Chatsworth to Poinsettia Drive.

Police told NBC 7 that the deceased victims appear to be a woman possibly in her 60s and a man possibly in his 30s. One of them was found in a side-yard area, while the other one may have been found in the kitchen area inside, Lt. Jud Campbell with SDPD's Homicide Unit said during a news conference.

The third victim was described by police as a woman in her 80s. She was taken to a nearby hospital with serious injuries, Campbell said.

"She was found out front here at the street," Campbell said. "Officers took her away from the scene and began rendering aid until paramedics could come and get her and rush her to the hospital."

As of 9:45 p.m., she was still alive, the lieutenant said.

Based on preliminary information, SDPD said the suspect is the son of the surviving victim, also believed to live at the Zola Street address.

"We're working through that, but that is the working theory for this is that it's going to be family-related," Campbell said, adding that police are not looking for any other suspects.

Police could not confirm if the other two victims are related to them. SDPD has not yet identified the victims or the shooter by name.

Officers also located what appears to be a shotgun in the front yard near where the suspect was found that they say is likely the murder weapon, SDPD said.

The garage door of the home looked like it was recently crushed inward, but no vehicle in the area seemed to have caused it. Police later confirmed that patrol officers breached the door while checking the scene.

The circumstances that led to the shooting were not immediately clear. SDPD's Homicide Unit is still investigating.

Campbell said that multiple people called 911, including the shooter. He also said there have been prior calls to the residence, but it is not known what those calls were for or when.

"As part of this investigation, we are going to be looking at every time that we may have been on this street or been in contact with anyone that is involved in this," Campbell said.

A woman who describes herself to police as a close friend of the victims was near collapse after hearing of the tragedy as she arrive at the police tape. She says the surviving victim contacted police about the potential of this very thing happening one or two days ago.

"This is my best friend, and the police turned her away yesterday," she said.

Marjie Carver lives down the street. She was home at the time and didn't hear the shooting, but she saw the helicopter.

"We've lived here over 20 years and never had anything like that," Carver said. "I'm stunned that it ever happened. I am saddened that it happened."

Police are asking anyone with information or who knows the family to call the Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

Check back here for updates on this breaking news story — Ed.

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