Man Killed in Shooting at San Diego Juneteenth Celebration ID'd

Man Killed in Shooting at San Diego Juneteenth Celebration ID'd
Police tape in a file photo. (Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images)
City News Service
6/21/2023
Updated:
6/21/2023
0:00

SAN DIEGO—Authorities on June 20 publicly identified the 20-year-old man who was fatally shot during a Juneteenth celebration at NTC Park in Liberty Station.

Patrol officers responding to reports of a shooting about 6:45 p.m. on June 17 arrived at the park to find numerous people fleeing and Jonathan Shields-Pullum of San Diego suffering from gunshot trauma to his upper body, according to police.

Paramedics took Shields-Pullum to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

“During this time, it was discovered there was a second [man] who also had been shot,” San Diego Police Department Lt. Steve Shebloski said. “This [victim] left in a vehicle and was driven a short distance away before an ambulance was called to treat [him] for his injuries. [He] was transported to a local hospital with a gunshot wound to his leg.”

The second victim, also 20, was expected to survive. His name has not been released.

Investigators have determined that the shooting took place following a scuffle that broke out near the scheduled end of the event, according to police.

“Moments after the fight, [the shooter] took out a handgun and shot both victims before fleeing the scene,” Shebloski said Tuesday. “It is still being determined if the victims were participants in the fight, were targeted ... for an unknown reason, or were innocent bystanders who were struck by gunfire.”

Police have no detailed description of the gunman, who appeared to be in his mid-20s.

“Detectives are currently in the process of interviewing ... witnesses, gathering physical evidence from the crime scene, and checking the area for any surveillance video footage,” Shebloski said.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477 or contact the agency online. Tipsters may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.