Lemon Grove shooting victim and suspect identified

LEMON GROVE, Calif. — A 21-year-old man was fatally wounded in a shooting in Lemon Grove, authorities said Sunday.

Officers were in the 3000 block of Lemon Grove Avenue when they heard several gunshots around 11:35 p.m. Saturday, said Lt. Michael Krugh of the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.

“While checking the business district, they were advised that a group was arguing in the 3100 block of School Lane,” Krugh said. “Officers checked the area and found a 21-year-old Hispanic male with multiple gunshot wounds.”

Paramedics took Diego Omar Valera-Trujillo to a hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries, he said.

At a news conference Sunday evening, Krugh identified the suspect as Joshua Gonzales, a 27-year-old Lemon Grove resident. Krugh said Gonzales was arrested by the sheriff's special unit on Sunday afternoon.

According to Krugh, the two men were arguing minutes before the shooting. Gonzalez left the argument and returned shortly afterward. He shot Valera-Trujillo multiple times in the upper body, Krugh told CBS 8.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the sheriff's homicide unit at 858-285-6232 or after hours at 858-868-3200. Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.