Tragedy struck late Friday night in National City as a young male lost his life and four others sustained injuries during a shooting at a party hosted in an abandoned house. This shocking incident has left the local community reeling, according to authorities.
As the clock struck 11:50 p.m., multiple 911 calls flooded in, alerting police to numerous gunshots fired at the property located on N Avenue near 8th Street, shared police Captain Derek Aydelotte.
Upon their arrival, the National City police discovered a chaotic scene with over 100 attendees—many of whom were teens and young adults—gathered for the party. Recognizing the scale of the situation, law enforcement requested additional backup from neighboring police departments to help manage the crowd and secure the volatile scene. By the time officers arrived, the shooter or shooters had vanished, leaving behind a trail of fear and confusion, police reported.
Authorities identified five male victims at the scene; tragically, one young adult was pronounced dead at the location. The four other individuals were promptly transported to local hospitals to receive treatment for their gunshot wounds. Initially, one of these victims was reported in critical condition, but by Saturday morning, all four wounded individuals had stabilized, Aydelotte informed OnScene.TV.
As dawn broke on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, investigators were seen walking up the long driveway leading to the site of the violent shooting. The property itself is somewhat concealed from public view thanks to a dirt embankment, which may have played a role in the incident occurring under the radar.
No suspects were in custody by 7 a.m., and police diligently worked to interview witnesses in the hopes of gathering critical information to identify those responsible for this senseless act of violence.
Captain Aydelotte noted, “We don’t know what led up to the shooting,” indicating the uncertainty surrounding the motives behind the tragic event. Earlier in the evening, police had received at least one report of a party in the vicinity, but that call remained categorized as pending before officers were dispatched to address the shooting incidents.
Anyone possessing information relevant to the investigation is urged to contact the National City police at 619-336-4411 or offer an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477 or via sdcrimestoppers.org.
Originally Published: November 16, 2024 at 8:13 AM PST
What were the main challenges faced by law enforcement during the response to the incident?
**Interview with Captain Derek Aydelotte of the National City Police Department**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Captain Aydelotte. Can you tell us what unfolded during the tragic incident late Friday night?
**Captain Aydelotte:** Thank you for having me. It was a deeply unfortunate event. We received multiple 911 calls just before midnight regarding gunshots at a house party on N Avenue. When our officers arrived, they were met with a chaotic scene; there were over 100 attendees, many of whom were teens and young adults.
**Editor:** What can you tell us about the response from law enforcement and emergency services during that time?
**Captain Aydelotte:** Given the volume of people and the situation we encountered, we quickly realized we needed additional resources. We were able to call in backup from neighboring departments to help manage the scene and provide immediate assistance to the injured. Our priority was to ensure the safety of all present and provide medical care to those who needed it.
**Editor:** How is the community reacting to this incident?
**Captain Aydelotte:** The community is understandably shaken. A tragic loss of life, especially among young individuals, is something that deeply impacts everyone. We are working closely with community leaders and organizations to address fears and provide support. It’s a reminder of the importance of safety and responsible hosting.
**Editor:** Are there any updates on the investigation or efforts to prevent similar incidents in the future?
**Captain Aydelotte:** We’re actively investigating the shooting, working to identify suspects and gather evidence from the scene. In the meantime, we encourage the community to report any suspicious activities and embrace preventive measures for gatherings. Open dialogue with residents will help us create a safer environment for everyone.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Captain Aydelotte. Our thoughts are with the families affected by this tragedy.
**Captain Aydelotte:** Thank you for having me, and let’s hope for healing and peace in our community moving forward.
