On March 3, 2025, at about 8:30pm, deputies responded to the 300 block of Autumn Drive in the City of San Marcos for a radio call of someone brandishing a weapon. The preliminary investigation revealed the victim was assaulted by three suspects and suffered multiple injuries. The follow-up investigation by the Sheriff’s Narcotics & Gangs Division revealed the victim was targeted due to a perceived gang affiliation. A 20-year-old male Vista resident was identified as one of the attackers.
On May 21, 2025, at about 7:30pm, a search warrant was served at a residence on the 1800 block of Thibodo Road in the City of Vista. As a result of the search warrant, an un-serialized AR15-style short-barreled rifle, a handgun, ammunition, high-capacity magazines, and clothing used in the crime were located and seized as evidence.
The suspect was arrested and booked into the Vista Detention Facility (VDF) on felony charges of assault with a deadly weapon, promoting/assisting a criminal street gang, and possession of a short-barreled assault weapon.
This was the third arrest in this case. On March 3, 2025, an 18-year-old male San Marcos resident was arrested and booked into VDF on felony charges of assault with a deadly weapon and promoting/assisting a criminal street gang. Additionally, on March 19, 2025, another 18-year-old male San Marcos resident was arrested and booked into VDF for charges of assault with a deadly weapon, promoting/assisting a criminal street gang, and owning a firearm without a serial number after an un-serialized handgun was located in their residence following a search warrant.
The investigation is on-going.
Lieutenant Kenneth Lawrence
Kenneth.lawrence@sdsheriff.org
Narcotics & Gangs Division: (760)-510-5067
