SAN DIEGO (CBS 8/CNS) - A man suspected of fatally shooting an acquaintance at an Ocean Beach condominium complex surrendered in the East Village Thursday morning, about 8 1/2 hours after the deadly gunfire shook up the coastal neighborhood.
Patrol officers responding to reports of gunfire found the mortally wounded 35-year-old victim on the ground in the 4100 block of Voltaire Street about 11:15 p.m. Wednesday, according to San Diego police. The man, whose name was withheld pending family notification, died at the scene.
Witnesses reported that the assailant had retreated into a nearby residence, Lt. Ray Valentin said. Officers tried in vain to contact the suspect, identified as 32-year-old Thomas Francis Burke, also known as TJ, then called in SWAT officers to take positions around the residence and prepare to forcibly enter if necessary.
Neighbor, Jelsarose Covelli, said she's shocked that the person she knew as a friendly pharmacist is now an accused killer.
"It was kind of scary. I went back in the house and told my son he wasn't going to go skating around with his friends today," Covelli, said.
The stalemate continued past daybreak, until a detective was able to get ahold of Burke on the suspect's cellphone. Burke agreed to turn himself in and did so a short time later at 16th and F streets in downtown San Diego. He was booked into county jail on suspicion of murder.
The suspect and victim knew each other, Valentin said, declining to elaborate. The motive for the killing was unknown, the lieutenant said.
Police were unsure if Burke had been in the surrounded condo at all during the standoff or if he might have left the area unnoticed beforehand.
Police say neighbors heard two or three gunshots.
"We do know the victim did know the suspect, we don't know what took place before the incident or what sparked it to happen," Lt. Ray Valentin, SDPD Homicide said.
The incident remains under investigation.