April 28, 2021
SAN DIEGO, CA–On April 22, 2021, at 10:30 p.m., the San Diego Police Communications Center received numerous calls reporting that a shooting had occurred at 500 J Street in the Gaslamp District. More calls were received stating that the suspect had walked away and been involved in another shooting at 5th Avenue and Island Avenue.
Officers from Central Division arrived at 500 J Street and found a male down on the sidewalk with at least one apparent gunshot wound to his upper body. Officers began providing medical aid until relieved by San Diego Fire-Rescue personnel. Unfortunately, the male was pronounced deceased at the scene.
San Diego Police Homicide Detectives were called to the scene and are currently investigating the incident. While this complicated investigation continues, detectives have learned the male was standing on the sidewalk at 500 J Street when he was confronted by the suspect. Without provocation, the suspect produced a handgun and fired at the victim. The suspect began to walk away, but quickly turned and fired again at the victim. The suspect then walked northbound on 5th Avenue where he confronted a group of males at 500 5th Avenue. The suspect again produced a handgun and fired at the group, striking 4 of them. The suspect continued walking northbound, but was followed by citizens who detained him as officers arrived at that location. The suspect continued to struggle with officers, prompting an officer to deploy his Taser to subdue the suspect. He was taken into custody without further incident. A firearm was recovered from the suspect.
The deceased male has been identified as Justice Boldin, 28. He was employed as a valet when he was killed.
The injured males have also been identified. Vincent Gazzani, a 27 year-old resident of Perrineville, New Jersey, sustained serious gunshot injuries to his upper body. Gazzani remains hospitalized in stable condition. Steven Ely, a 68 year-old resident of San Diego, remains hospitalized in stable condition with a gunshot wound to his torso. Alexander Balis, a 26 year-old resident of Mullica Hill, New Jersey, has been released from the hospital after being treated for a gunshot wound to his arm. Jatil Kodati, a 28 year-old resident of Jersey City, New Jersey, was treated at the scene for a gunshot injury to his arm.
The suspect, Travis Sarreshteh, 32, has been arrested. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment after the Taser deployment and other injuries sustained when he was tackled by citizens.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
April 23, 2021 press release:
On April 22, 2021, at 10:30 p.m., the San Diego Police Communications Center received numerous calls reporting that a shooting had occurred at 500 J Street in the Gaslamp District. More calls were received stating that the suspect had walked away and been involved in another shooting at 5th Avenue and Island Avenue.
Officers from Central Division arrived at 500 J Street and found a male down on the sidewalk with at least one apparent gunshot wound to his upper body. Officers began providing medical aid until relieved by San Diego Fire-Rescue personnel. Unfortunately, the male was pronounced deceased at the scene.
San Diego Police Homicide Detectives were called to the scene and are currently investigating the incident. While it is still early in this complicated investigation, detectives have learned the male was standing on the sidewalk at 500 J Street when he was confronted by the suspect. After a brief verbal exchange, the suspect produced a handgun and fired at the victim. The suspect began to walk away, but quickly turned and fired again at the victim. The suspect then walked northbound on 5th Avenue where he confronted a group of males at 500 5th Avenue. The suspect again produced a handgun and fired at the group, striking 4 of them. The suspect continued walking northbound, but was followed by citizens who attempted to detain him as officers arrived at that location. The suspect continued to struggle with officers, prompting an officer to deploy his Taser to subdue the suspect. He was taken into custody without further incident. A firearm was recovered from the suspect.
Detectives remain at the scene, collecting evidence and attempting to locate witnesses. Traffic in the area is expected to be impacted for several hours as the investigation continues.
The deceased male has been identified, however his name is not being released at this time. He is described as a 28 year-old White male.
The injured males have also been identified, however their names are not being released at this time. They are described as a 27 year-old White male with serious gunshot injuries to his upper body, a 68 year-old White male with a gunshot wound to his torso, and a 26 year-old White male with a gunshot wound to his arm. These victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries. A 5th victim, a 28 year-old male with a gunshot injury to his arm, was treated at the scene.
The suspect has been arrested, however his name is not being released at this time. He is described as a 32 year-old White male. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment after the Taser deployment and other injuries sustained when he was tackled by citizens.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.