Robert Madden, 35, was arrested Friday in connection with the shooting death of 38-year-old Senait Legesse at a Talmadge apartment complex.

San Diego police have arrested a man believed to be the intruder who shot a woman last week as she tried to stop a robbery at a Talmadge apartment.

Someone called 911 around 8:40 p.m. on July 15 to report a shooting at a residence on Euclid Avenue north of El Cajon Boulevard, said homicide Lt. Jud Campbell.

When officers arrived, they found 38-year-old Senait Legesse in one of the apartments. She had at least one gunshot wound, Campbell said. She died before she could be taken to a hospital.

Investigators later learned that Legesse was with a 59-year-old man in his apartment when a stranger dressed in dark clothing entered with a gun.

According to Campbell, the intruder took the man’s wallet at gunpoint. When Legesse tried to intervene, the stranger shot her and fled, he said.

Police said there was sufficient evidence to suggest that 35-year-old Robert Madden was the shooter.

Officers found Madden on the street near University Avenue and Euclid Avenue around 8:50 p.m. Friday. He was arrested and booked into San Diego Central Jail on suspicion of murder and parole violation.

Madden remained jailed without bail on Monday. His arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday in San Diego Superior Court.

Further details were not immediately available.

Campbell said the investigation is ongoing and asked anyone with information about the shooting to call the Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

Originally published: July 22, 2024 at 18:16