A verbal altercation led to the shooting of a woman outside a liquor store in San Diego's El Cajon area Thursday, deputies from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department confirmed.
Officials said shots were fired just before 5 p.m. at East Bradley Avenue and Graves Avenue in Unincorporated El Cajon.
According to deputies, a man in his late teens or early 20s was arguing with other men in the parking lot, when an SUV pulled up at the same time. The man fired five to six rounds, hitting a woman in the passenger seat of the SUV, and then ran from the scene.
Neighbor Penny Clack heard the shooting.
"I heard what I thought was six gunshots, and then I heard tires screeching away," Clack said.
Deputies said another woman was behind the wheel of the SUV – which was also occupied by three children – and she began driving away with her injured passenger.
When she spotted emergency crews heading their way, she pulled over. Medics from Lakeside Fire tended to the passenger and transported her to Sharp Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Officials said one of the children was also cut by a small piece of shattered glass. No one at the liquor store was injured.
As of 11 p.m., the shooting suspect was still at large. Sheriff's officials said they did detain one person, but he turned out not to be the suspect.
Officials said the shooting victim was in her early 20s, but have not released her name.
Curious and worried neighbors waited outside for hours during the investigation.
"I live with my 6-year-old grandson and I mean, we're out here all the time," Clack said. "It's unnerving right now."
Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Department at 858-565-5200 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
