San Diego, CA — A dramatic police chase that began in the heart of San Diego’s East Village ended in Mexico on Thursday, after a stabbing suspect fled across the international border and was shot by Mexican authorities, officials confirmed.
Stabbing in East Village Sparks Massive Law Enforcement Response
The dangerous chain of events was set into motion shortly after 11 a.m., when officers from the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) responded to reports of a stabbing near 700 15th Street. According to SDPD, the victim suffered life-threatening injuries, prompting an urgent search for the attacker.
Witnesses directed officers to a gray Mercedes SUV, which the suspect was allegedly driving immediately after the stabbing.
Police Attempt Traffic Stop — Suspect Takes Off
Officers quickly tracked down the SUV on Stork Street and attempted to pull it over. Instead of stopping, the suspect accelerated away, launching a tense pursuit through city streets.
SDPD officers deployed multiple spike strips in an attempt to disable the vehicle, but the suspect maneuvered around the tactics and continued fleeing at speed, the department said.
What began as a local pursuit soon became a multi-jurisdictional emergency, as the SUV barreled toward the U.S.–Mexico border.
Suspect Crosses Into Mexico, Ending SDPD Pursuit
SDPD Lt. Travis Easter confirmed that the suspect successfully crossed into Mexico, where SDPD’s pursuit officially ended due to jurisdictional boundaries.
However, Mexican law enforcement intervened almost immediately. Details remain limited, but officials confirmed that the suspect was shot by Mexican authorities after crossing the border. The circumstances leading to the gunfire have not yet been released.
The wounded suspect was transported to a hospital in Mexico. As of Thursday evening, officials had not provided an update on his condition.
No San Diego Officers Fired Their Weapons
SDPD emphasized that no San Diego police officers were involved in the shooting. Once the suspect crossed into Mexico, responsibility shifted to authorities on the other side of the border.
Officials from both countries are expected to coordinate as the investigation develops, though it remains unclear whether the suspect will be extradited back to the U.S. to face charges related to the East Village stabbing.
Victim in Critical Condition
The stabbing victim remains in critical, life-threatening condition, according to police. No details have been released about the victim’s identity, age, or connection—if any—to the suspect.
The unusual cross-border nature of the case has drawn attention from both U.S. and Mexican agencies, raising questions about the suspect’s motives, the rapid escalation of the pursuit, and how violent offenders manage to reach the border while evading police.
Community Shaken by Daylight Violence
Residents in East Village and South Bay expressed deep concern over the brazenness of a violent attack in broad daylight, followed by the suspect’s high-speed escape toward the international border.
With investigations now split between the SDPD, U.S. federal agencies, and Mexican law enforcement, more information is expected to emerge in the coming days.
