**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SAN DIEGO, California – A mass shooting incident has left multiple victims, including at least one confirmed fatality, following an outbreak of gunfire at a commercial establishment in the East County area.

WHAT: Authorities are investigating a targeted shooting event that occurred late Wednesday evening inside a business located on the 600 block of North Second Street. Preliminary reports indicate an armed assailant opened fire without warning, resulting in a number of gunshot wounds and a single deceased victim at the scene.

WHEN: The incident was reported to law enforcement at approximately 9:47 PM local time on Wednesday, October 25, 2023.

WHERE: The location has been identified as a mixed-use retail and office building in the El Cajon neighborhood, approximately 12 miles east of downtown San Diego.

WHO: The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department has confirmed that the deceased victim is a male, believed to be an employee of the establishment. A second victim, a 27-year-old female, was transported to a local trauma center with non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect remains at large and has been described as a white male, approximately 5'10" in height, last seen fleeing the area on foot.

WHY: While a definitive motive has not yet been established, Sheriff’s Homicide detectives have indicated that the assailant was likely known to the victims, suggesting a targeted personal or workplace dispute rather than a random act of violence.

STATUS OF INVESTIGATION: The San Diego Police Department and FBI field offices have been requested to assist the El Cajon Police Department in locating the suspect. Law enforcement is currently conducting a security sweep of the immediate area, and an active search is underway. School and public transportation services in the vicinity have been temporarily disrupted as a precaution.

This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as official statements are released.