On the evening of February 17, 2024, 35-year-old Mexican national Christian Espinoza Silver was fatally shot near the Westfield UTC shopping mall in San Diego’s University City neighborhood. Espinoza Silver and a 39-year-old male companion were in a vehicle entering the Palisade apartments’ parking garage when an assailant approached on foot and opened fire, striking both men. Espinoza Silver was found lying in the street, transported to a local hospital, and later died; his companion suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was reported in stable condition.

Witnesses and investigators describe the suspect as wearing a camouflage jacket, black pants, and a black backpack, fleeing west on foot. San Diego police say the attack appears targeted; no arrests have been announced and the suspect remains unidentified. Espinoza Silver was reportedly known by the alias El Chato and said to have links to the Arellano Félix Cartel and to Pablo Edwin Huerta Nuño, alias El Flaquito, though law enforcement has not confirmed cartel involvement.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. Did anyone in University City see the suspect or the vehicle that evening?