Brian Mendoza, 18, was shot and killed on October 5, 2022, in the Mira Mesa neighborhood of San Diego while cutting hair in his garage. A recent graduate of Mira Mesa High School and an aspiring barber, he was remembered by friends and family as generous and kind, often giving free haircuts to people experiencing homelessness. Officers and paramedics attempted life-saving measures but Mendoza was pronounced dead at the scene; investigators later reported he had been shot multiple times.

The San Diego Police Department opened an investigation and the community mounted a memorial in front of his home, with friends and family calling for justice. In January 2023, authorities arrested and charged 21-year-old Nicholas Forehand and a 17-year-old male with murder in connection with Mendoza’s killing. The motive remained unclear as detectives continued to piece together events. If anyone knew Brian or has information about what happened that morning, please come forward.