Oceanside CA— Early this morning, September 3rd, 2016 at 2:34am ., Oceanside Police Officers responded to a radio call of shots fired at Balderrama Park, 709 San Diego St. Officers arrived on scene and located a 15-year-old female in the playground structure with at least one gunshot wound.

Officers attempted lifesaving measures but unfortunately the victim was pronounced dead on scene.
Oceanside Police Detectives from the Crimes of Violence unit are currently on scene investigating. A suspect is not in custody and there is limited information at this point of the investigation.
The preliminary investigation has revealed that witnesses were most likely present during the incident. Due to the circumstances, it appears the victim was targeted and it was not a random act of violence.

“We really need the community to come together right now and come forward with any information they have about this incident.” said Ryan Keim, Public information Officer for the Oceanside Police Department. “Anyone who witnessed anything, no matter how trivial it may seem they are urged to call the Oceanside Police Department at (760) 435-4911. Early indications are there were witnesses at the scene but we are still trying to determine what exactly happened.”
This is the third homicide in a four block radius of the park, this year.

Mr. Keim said the Oceanside Police Department has spent a lot of time building a good relationship with the community. “Our officers and the community are comfortable talking with each other and that helps in this type of situation but really need somebody to come forward with some information and help us out in this investigation.”
The City of Oceanside has upgraded the lighting in the park and installed shielding to prevent the lights from being knocked out. “The City has some really great programs up here and has poured a lot of money into the community,” said an OPD Officer on the scene, “There is lots of cause but sometimes it feels like there is little effect.”