San Diego, CA — On the evening of Halloween, October 31, 2024, the San Diego State University (SDSU) campus was thrust into chaos as police responded to a shooting incident that left one person injured and led to an immediate lockdown of campus facilities. While the campus remained on high alert following the shooting, a simultaneous brush fire near the university added to the emergency situation, further heightening the tension on what would have otherwise been a celebratory night.
Around 8:00 p.m., an alert went out to students, faculty, and visitors on the SDSU campus warning of an active shooter situation. The alert, sent by the San Diego State University Police Department (UPD), advised everyone to seek immediate shelter indoors, secure doors and windows, and remain on high alert as law enforcement officers arrived on the scene. Details quickly unfolded: one person had been shot and transported to a nearby hospital, and police had taken one suspect into custody. It was later confirmed that neither the victim nor the suspect was affiliated with the university, adding to the mystery of the motives behind the shooting.
Campus Lockdown: Police and SDSU Authorities Act Swiftly
As news of the shooting circulated through the university community, the response from campus authorities was both immediate and measured. UPD, alongside the San Diego Police Department (SDPD), established a perimeter around the reported area of gunfire, focusing on the vicinity of 5100 College Avenue, a bustling area near SDSU’s central facilities. Campus officials sent multiple alerts urging students to stay indoors while UPD and SDPD searched the area for any potential accomplices or additional threats.
University Response:
The SDSU administration rapidly mobilized its crisis response team, coordinating with local law enforcement to ensure the safety of students, faculty, and staff. SDSU’s Emergency Management Coordinator, Jennifer Alvarez, commented on the university’s procedures during active shooter incidents, stating that SDSU had reinforced its response protocols in recent years due to rising concerns of campus shootings nationwide. “Our priority is to ensure that everyone on campus feels secure. Tonight, that meant taking every precaution possible by putting the campus on lockdown and keeping everyone informed minute by minute,” she explained.
By 9:00 p.m., police confirmed that the threat was contained, although they continued to investigate the possibility of other suspects. An intense police presence remained on campus, with officers conducting door-to-door sweeps and interviewing witnesses who might have information on the shooter or circumstances leading to the incident.
Victim and Suspect Identities
Details about the victim and the suspect were initially withheld as authorities worked to notify families and piece together the events leading to the shooting. However, sources later confirmed that the victim, a 19-year-old male, was not an SDSU student and had no known affiliations with the university. He was critically injured but stabilized en route to a local trauma center, where he remains under medical care.
The suspect, whose name is being withheld pending further investigation, was apprehended close to the scene of the shooting. Preliminary reports indicate that the individual is also unaffiliated with SDSU, raising questions about what might have drawn both the shooter and victim to the campus on Halloween night.
Heightened Security Concerns
The timing of the incident, occurring on one of the busiest social nights of the year, contributed to a chaotic atmosphere. Students and campus visitors, many in Halloween costumes and engaged in festivities, were suddenly caught in a real-life crisis. Many reported scrambling to find secure locations as police cars, with sirens blaring and lights flashing, swarmed onto campus.
Witness Accounts:
One student, Olivia Tran, shared her harrowing experience of the alert coming through her phone. “I was in the library studying with friends when we all got the alert at once. We didn’t know what was happening, but seeing the police cars and hearing the sirens was terrifying. We just locked the doors and waited for more information.”
Several other students, confused by the Halloween crowd’s usual noise, initially thought the alerts were part of a drill or prank. However, once they understood the gravity of the situation, panic quickly spread across campus, with students frantically trying to call loved ones and check on friends.
Police Chief Comments:
San Diego Police Chief Daniel Fisher addressed the media outside SDSU’s main entrance, commending the campus community for following the lockdown instructions. He also praised the rapid response of UPD and SDPD officers, who were on the scene within minutes of the initial reports. “The quick action taken by both university police and our officers prevented further injury and ensured that the threat was neutralized,” he stated. “We will continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident thoroughly.”
SDSU President’s Statement
SDSU President Dr. Adela de la Torre expressed her concern for the campus community and conveyed heartfelt sympathies to those impacted by the shooting. In a statement released by the university, Dr. de la Torre assured students and parents that SDSU was cooperating fully with law enforcement to ensure that the campus remained a safe environment for all. She also emphasized the importance of seeking mental health support in the wake of the traumatic incident.
“We are here to support our students and our entire SDSU family during this difficult time. Counseling and psychological services are available for those who need it, and we encourage anyone feeling overwhelmed by tonight’s events to reach out,” she stated.
Simultaneous Emergency: 40-Acre Brush Fire Near Campus
While SDSU dealt with the active shooter situation, a separate emergency was unfolding just southwest of campus, where a brush fire broke out earlier that afternoon. The blaze, reportedly sparked by high winds, began near Fairmount Avenue and Montezuma Road around 1:45 p.m., quickly spreading through the canyon’s overgrown vegetation.
As the fire intensified, it burned across an estimated 40 acres and remained 0% contained as of the latest report at 4:00 p.m. The fire, stoked by strong Santa Ana winds, sent large plumes of smoke over central and southeast San Diego, prompting a smoke advisory that spanned Mission Valley, Lemon Grove, and Encanto. SDPD Lt. Dan Meyer noted that firefighters were working tirelessly to prevent the fire from reaching residential areas.
Evacuation Orders and Road Closures:
In response to the spreading fire, SDPD issued evacuation orders for neighborhoods surrounding the canyon, including areas south of Alvarado Canyon Road, west of Hewlett Drive, north of Monroe Avenue, and east of Montezuma Road. Hardy Elementary School was evacuated, with students transported to Viejas Arena on SDSU’s campus as a temporary shelter.
By mid-afternoon, major road closures were enforced to accommodate emergency response vehicles and protect the public. The westbound Interstate 8 off-ramp at Fairmont Avenue was closed around 3:03 p.m., with further surface road restrictions on Collwood Boulevard, Montezuma Road, Fairmount Avenue, and Camino del Rio South. Caltrans advised residents to avoid the area due to traffic delays and ongoing firefighting efforts.
Community Impact and Emergency Services Response
As both incidents unfolded near SDSU, the strain on emergency services was evident, with personnel shuttling between firefighting duties and campus safety operations. The Red Cross established a temporary evacuation site at the Allied Gardens Recreation Center on Greenbrier Avenue, providing essential aid and resources to displaced residents.
Red Cross Statement:
“Tonight has been a difficult evening for our community, but we are prepared to support those who need shelter and care,” stated Nicole Blake, the Red Cross’s lead coordinator on-site. The organization is expected to continue its relief operations until the fire is fully contained and all evacuation orders have been lifted.
The Investigation Continues
As of the early morning hours of November 1, 2024, both the shooting and the fire remain active investigations. Police are combing through security footage from around 5100 College Avenue, while forensic teams collect evidence from the scene of the shooting. Authorities have not yet released details on a possible motive but have assured the public that updates will be provided as more information is uncovered.
Final Thoughts
The combination of an active shooter incident and a rapidly spreading fire created an unprecedented emergency scenario for SDSU and its surrounding community. Students, faculty, residents, and emergency responders will undoubtedly feel the effects of this traumatic Halloween night for weeks to come.
