Man shot to death in San Bernardino, making it city's 30th homicide of 2016

KABC logo
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Man shot in San Bernardino is city's 30th homicide of 2016
A 31-year-old Victorville man was shot to death in San Bernardino Monday, making it the city's 30th homicide of 2016.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KABC) -- A 31-year-old Victorville man was shot to death in San Bernardino Monday, making it the city's 30th homicide of 2016.

Authorities said the victim walked into a liquor store to make a purchase in the 2600 block of W. Foothill Boulevard around 3:37 p.m. While he was in the store, a white car pulled into the parking lot and stopped.

When the victim, identified as Curtis Mitchell, exited the store, a man in the car got out. The pair exchanged words, and the suspect then pulled out an assault rifle from inside the car and opened fire.

Mitchell was hit several times by the gunfire and collapsed. When authorities arrived, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say Mitchell was not a documented gang member, but they believe the shooting may be gang related.

Of the 30 homicides, a majority are tied to criminal street gangs, including the unsolved murder of 12-year-old Jason Spears.

Spears was the city's 15th homicide in March. He was shot and killed while walking to a nearby store.

We're now 25 weeks into 2016, and at this rate, San Bernardino is experiencing more than one homicide a week. Residents says the city needs to give kids something to do to curb the violence.

Detectives are analyzing security video from the scene of Mitchell's murder. Anyone with more information was asked to call Detective Flesher at (909) 384-5655 or Sgt. Kokesh at (909) 384-5613.