Ralph Green

Ralph Arnold Green was a beloved father, a U.S. Army veteran, and a man who dedicated his life to helping others, first as a patrol officer and later as a security guard. Family members remembered the 63-year-old African-American man as a role model who was always there for young people in crisis. Above all, he was an amazing dad who was deeply cherished by his children and extended family. Born on December 15, 1949, Ralph’s life was defined by service and a commitment to his community, making his sudden and violent death all the more tragic for those who knew and loved him.

The night of October 20, 2013, was supposed to be a celebration. Family and friends had gathered at a home on Jewell Drive in San Diego's Mountain View neighborhood for the 32nd birthday party of Ralph’s daughter, Chanel Green. At around 1 a.m., as the party continued, an unknown assailant approached the front yard and opened fire. The sudden burst of violence caught everyone by surprise. Ralph, who was on the porch, was struck three times, with one bullet piercing his throat. A 51-year-old woman who was inside the house near a window was also hit by the gunfire.

In the chaotic moments that followed, Chanel Green’s mother, who was heading outside, screamed that Ralph had been shot. Chanel ran to the door and saw her father holding his neck. "My brother catches him, and I moved my brother out of the way, and I laid (my father) down on the ground, and I start screaming, ‘oh my god, my dad’s been shot, call the police,’” she later recalled. Ralph Green died on the floor of the porch in his daughter's arms, on her birthday. His last moments were spent hearing his daughter tell him she loved him.

The other victim, identified as Ralph's cousin-in-law, Jennetta Pierce, was struck in the lower back. Despite her injury, her first thought was for her children who were also at the party. She instructed them to get under a table for safety and didn't let on that she had been shot until emergency crews arrived. She was taken to a hospital, where she spent the next two weeks recovering from her wounds.

The San Diego Police Department launched a homicide investigation, but the case quickly grew cold. Investigators initially stated they had no suspects or a clear motive for the killing. While police at one point said the shooting appeared to be random, a statement shortly after the incident suggested it did not appear to be. The family believes there were many people at the party who may have seen something crucial. Ralph's brother, Linwood Green, noted that people were outside taking pictures just before the shooting and that someone must have captured an image of what happened.

In the years since Ralph’s murder, his family has refused to let his memory fade or to give up hope for justice. On the second anniversary of his death, they honored him by distributing 100 sack lunches, bottled water, and some of his favorite candy to homeless individuals in downtown San Diego, an act that reflected his lifelong spirit of giving back. His daughter Chanel has made public pleas for anyone with information to come forward. "It's been hard. It happened on my birthday on my front porch and my father died in my arms," she said. "For anybody who knows somebody that knows something to come forward, now is the time, to tell the truth."

As of October 2018, more than five years after the shooting, the case remained unsolved. The San Diego Police Department has received tips over the years, but none have led to an arrest. The family remains convinced that people in the community hold the key to resolving the case and bringing them the closure they desperately seek. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about the murder of Ralph Green is urged to contact the San Diego Police Department’s Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or San Diego County Crime Stoppers’ anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477.