On the morning of September 4, 1993, 21-year-old Mimi Barraza was standing with friends outside a friend’s home on 39th Street when a white Chevy Astro-Van pulled up and occupants opened fire into the group. Barraza was struck in the head by a bullet from an assault rifle and killed; another woman was shot in the leg. The van, reported stolen the previous day, was found abandoned hours later at 19th and G Street. Casings from several different caliber weapons were recovered at the scene and from the van.

Investigators noted a cluster of shootings around the same time in San Diego and National City involving the same type of assault rifle, including a National City incident that wounded nine people and a San Diego shooting on 3800 Delta Street that killed a 16-year-old boy. Suspects in these cases were described as Hispanic males affiliated with a Logan Heights street gang.

Barraza had turned 21 two days before her death and left a two-year-old daughter. She had been Miss Teen San Diego and was attending college with plans for law school. If anyone has information about that night or the people responsible, please come forward.