San Diego police arrested a 15-year-old boy early Monday on suspicion of fatally shooting his father in his family’s Scripps Ranch condominium Sunday night while his older brother and mother were home.

Police responded to a 911 call about a shooting inside a residence on Affinity Court near Scripps Ranch Boulevard shortly after 8:30 p.m. and found the victim, a 45-year-old man, on a bedroom floor suffering from at least one gunshot wound to his upper body, police said.



For the record: An earlier version of this story reported that the victim was 46 years old, based on information provided by police. They later clarified he was 45.

The suspect’s older brother had called 911 to summon police.

“The (911) caller stated, ‘My brother just shot my father,’” said San Diego police homicide Lt. Anthony Dupree. He said officers found the suspect’s older brother and mother in a room in the unit and had them go outside.


Officers performed immediate medical aid on the victim until paramedics arrived, but the man died before he could be taken to a hospital. Police searched the condominium complex and the surrounding area, but didn’t find the suspect immediately, Dupree said.

More than four hours later, someone called 911 to report seeing the boy walking in the area.

Police said the teen was arrested around 1 a.m. on Scripps Poway Parkway near Interstate 15, about two miles from the family’s home, near a gas station.

Images of the arrest recorded by San Diego News Video show the boy walking down a street carrying a backpack on his back. After he was handcuffed, a police officer can be seen taking a gun from the boy’s pocket and placing it on the back of a patrol car.


Cameras also captured officers collecting evidence, including at least two ammunition clips and two boxes of bullets.

Officers also taped paper bags around the suspect’s hands, presumably to preserve any gunshot residue.

Dupree said investigators do not know what led to the shooting. He said there was no evidence any other shootings were planned.

After the suspect was booked, he was taken to a hospital out of precaution after complaining of injuries, Dupree said. The lieutenant did not know what type of injuries the teen said he had.


The teen was a sophomore at Mira Mesa High School.

Hours after the arrest, the principal of the school, Jeff Sabins, sent an email to parents informing them of the student’s involvement. Here is what his note said:

“Our first priority at Mira Mesa High School is to provide our students with a first-class education in a safe and secure learning environment. We also believe in communicating openly with our students and parents about incidents that affect our campus.

“You may have heard on the news about an incident involving a teenager who was arrested by the San Diego Police Department on suspicion of fatally shooting his father. Sadly, the teenager is a student at Mira Mesa High School.


“This is an active investigation so I cannot share any details at this time. We have additional counselors on site to assist students and staff, as needed. We will continue to monitor and support our students here at school.

“As a parent, you are encouraged to talk with your child about his or her thoughts and feelings about the incident if the subject comes up. Provide outlets for expression such as writing and talking. Be honest. If asked difficult questions, it’s OK to say you don’t know the answers. Reassure your child of his or her own health and safety, and know that our first priority is student safety.”

City News Service contributed to this report.


Twitter: @karenkucher

(619) 293-1350


karen.kucher@sduniontribune.com

UPDATES:

2:45 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details.

9:55 a.m.: This article was updated with additional details.


8:55 a.m.: This article was updated with additional details.

6:45 a.m.: This article was updated with additional details.

This article was originally published at 10:15 p.m.