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San Diego police investigate another possible hate crime in Hillcrest – NBC 7 San Diego

San Diego police are investigating another possible hate crime in Hillcrest.

A projectile, possibly a bullet, shattered the office window of Trans Frontier, an organization that helps LGBTQ+ migrants receive social benefits, on Wednesday morning.

The projectile pierced one pane of glass and shattered the other pane behind it.

“Look at it and tell me that’s not a bullet hole,” said Guadalupe Castillon-Mendoza, executive director of Trans Frontier.

It happened shortly after 10 a.m., as Mendoza and the office manager were working at their desks just steps away.

“We just hear a loud explosion and I scream,” Mendoza said.

Mendoza left Texas three months ago to take a job with the organization in Hillcrest because he thought it would be safer there.

“We’re ultimately creating a concentrated group of queer, trans, gay and lesbian people that makes virtually every one of these companies a potential target,” Mendoza said.

Just two weeks ago, two blocks from Trans Frontier, Rich’s nightclub was a target. The nightclub and four other clubs were shot at by someone in a car. They were shooting with gel bullets.



After three people were injured by gel pellets in several stores, police are increasing patrols. Dave Summers of NBC 7 reports.

Rich’s VIP host Eddie Reynoso was hit in the eye. The injury could have been worse.

Police aren’t sure what broke the Trans Frontier’s window or where it came from. NBC 7 checked the roof of the adjacent building with owner Dan Cassidy. Cassidy says he’s received complaints about people on the building’s roof before. However, the object’s trajectory may indicate it came from the street.

“The whole time, the assumption was that it was a bullet that someone was trying to fire into our office,” Mendoza said.

NBC 7 spoke with neighbor Carole DeVito. She has lived in Hillcrest for over two decades.

“It’s always been troubling to live here because there’s always been so much hate,” DeVito said.

DeVito was in her apartment and within earshot of the window breaking, but did not hear or see it.

“People should be able to live where they want to live and be who they want to be. And I think it’s terrible that this is happening to them,” Devito said.

A San Diego police officer took photos and searched for surveillance video Wednesday afternoon. Police are investigating the incident as a possible hate crime.

“It’s especially the fact that we work with trans and queer immigrants, and that bothers people,” Mendoza said.

The Hillcrest community has become accustomed to threats and vandalism, but Mendoza fears there may be more to it.

The Trans Frontier will remain closed for the rest of the week. Mendoza says they are reviewing security in and around the building to determine what changes can be made.