San Diego police increase security in Hillcrest after drive-by shooting with shotgun – NBC 7 San Diego

San Diego police are increasing patrols in the Hillcrest area after gel pellets were fired in the area, injuring three people at several businesses.

Hillcrest is considered the center of San Diego’s LGBTQ+ community and police say they are investigating these attacks as hate crimes.

“We’re not going to let hate win. That’s not an option,” Moe Girton, owner of the Gossip Grill bar and grill in Hillcrest, told NBC 7.

Eddie Reynoso of Rich’s nightclub was shot in the eye by a gel pellet Saturday night. He is back at work despite a torn cornea but says his vision will return soon.

“When you see something like that happen, you stop and think, ‘Oh wow,'” Girton said.

As traumatic as Saturday’s shotgun attack was for the victims, the fact is that Hillcrest has been the target of attacks for decades.

Benjamin Nicholls, executive director of the Hillcrest Business Association, says that instead of backing out during major events like Memorial Day weekend, Pride Month and the July Parade, businesses redouble their efforts to promote culture and community.

“If I could make a sign that shines brighter, I would,” Nicholls said.

According to Nicholls, last weekend’s attacks were the work of thugs who wanted to spread fear and terror among the population.

“A community that allows you to be whoever you want to be scares a lot of people because then they are not who they want to be,” Nicholls said.

There is plenty of surveillance video of the dark-colored sedan used in the air gun incidents, but no picture of the license plate. Nicholls says he asked the city for license plate reading cameras some time ago.

Investigators believe at least four LGBTQ+ hotspots were attacked over the weekend, leaving three employees injured. NBC 7’s Dave Summers reports on May 20, 2024.

“I think if the cameras had been there, we would have had much better footage of these incidents,” Nicholls said.

Girton said the Gossip Grill has state-of-the-art cameras, scanners and top-notch security. Bags are not allowed in the bar and there is shooting training for staff and rescue drills. The bar and restaurant are in close contact with the police.

“They really worked with us one-on-one. The liaisons have been in constant contact with us. They’re on speed dial. Whatever we need, we just call them and they’re there,” Girton said.

Nicholls says police departments communicate with bar and restaurant owners about upcoming events. He says security at each establishment also communicates with others.

“We have experienced attacks like this before, but we will recover and become stronger,” Nicholls said.

The police believe that the five shotgun incidents are connected and are still investigating. No arrests have been made so far.