Coronado, CA (January 3, 2012) – The Coronado Police Department, along with San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Detail, Navy Criminal Investigative Service and San Diego County Medical Examiner, continue to investigate the deaths of four people at a downtown condominium early New Year’s Day.
Authorities, responding to a 911 call at 2:20 a.m. on January 1 at a home in the 1000 block of Park Place, found three men and a woman, all of whom had been fatally shot. Although early in the investigation, officials believe there are no outstanding suspects.
Sheriff’s Department officials joined the effort due to the number of dead and complexity of the scene.
Upon arriving at the condominium, Coronado Police officers discovered the body of a man in the doorway. They unsuccessfully attempted to make contact with anyone who might be inside the residence. The Sheriff’s Department Special Enforcement Detail was called and responded with a robot used to search the first floor. The Special Enforcement Detail searched two other floors and found the other bodies.
Coronado does not have a specific homicide unit as it is not economically prudent to staff and train a homicide unit when there are so few homicides. Coronado detectives do investigate suspicious deaths. However, in this case, Coronado requested the assistance of the Sheriff’s Department.
Through a special agreement, the City of Coronado and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department provide one another with mutual aid in emergency cases. The Sheriff’s Department, with its homicide unit, evidence technicians and crime laboratory, has the resources to provide assistance to Coronado, which does not have similar staffing and equipment. Additionally, the Sheriff’s Department provides other resources, including canine units, helicopters, SWAT teams, and reserve officers when necessary to assist the City of Coronado.
Coronado Police Chief Louis Scanlon said the arrangement allows the City to use the extensive resources of the Sheriff’s Department.
“We work in close cooperation with our Sheriff’s Department partners,” Scanlon said. “The Sheriff’s Department’s enhances our ability to provide the citizens of Coronado the very best quality investigations and a level of service that no small police department can provide its citizens.”
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Detail at (858) 974-2321, or (858) 565-5200 after hours, Coronado Police at (619) 522-7350, or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
News release from Janine Zúñiga, Senior Management Analyst, City Manager's Office
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