El Cajon Police Detectives have arrested two juvenile males for the December 12 attempted murder of a 16-year-old female victim at an El Cajon motel. The suspects, ages 15 and 17, will not be identified because they are juveniles. A group of El Cajon teens rented a room at the motel and used it as a party spot.

During the investigation it was determined the two suspects acted in concert to shoot the victim. The victim was shot one time. All of the teens fled the scene and left the victim without rendering medical aid. Hours later the victim's family received a phone call telling them they should go check the welfare of the victim.

The family notified ECPD, and police responded to the motel at 1368 E. Main Street in El Cajon. Police located the victim in the motel room alive but unresponsive. Officers recovered a gun from the scene. Paramedics rushed the victim to the hospital, where her condition remains critical. Doctors expect the victim to survive, but the long-term effects on her health are unknown.

In the days that followed the incident, ECPD detectives worked all available leads to determine who was responsible for this crime. The suspect, who police believe shot the victim, immediately fled to Mexico and remained there until Tuesday, when he surrendered himself to authorities at the Port of Entry. Police arrested the second suspect days after the incident during a traffic stop.

A review of the El Cajon Inn and Suites business practices is ongoing. Anyone with additional information should contact the El Cajon Police Department at (619) 579-3311, or to remain anonymous, should contact Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

COMPLETED BY:

Lt. Keith MacArthur

El Cajon Police Department

Investigations Division Commander

REVIEWED BY:

Cpt. R. Bates

DATE/TIME: 12/30/22 @ 2:00 PM

Mike Moulton

Chief of Police