On February 23, 2024, deputies responded to a shooting in the 7500 block of Mendoza Road on the Rincon Indian Reservation near Valley Center, California. Officers found 46-year-old Jason Gillespie with multiple gunshot wounds; he was airlifted to a hospital and died there on February 26, 2024, at around 11:30 p.m. The Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide due to gunshot wounds.

At the scene authorities detained 31-year-old Valley Center resident Kyle Del Gregory and recovered a rifle. Del Gregory was initially booked on attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon; after Gillespie’s death the charges were elevated to murder. He is being held without bail at the Vista Detention Facility. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department is investigating motive and circumstances.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Unit at (858) 285-6330, after hours at (858) 565-5200, or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. Does anyone in the area have information about what led to the shooting?