EL CAJON–A gunman entered the office of the Quality Inn and Suites pointing a shotgun at the clerk and demanded money, El Cajon police said Tuesday.
The clerk asked the suspect not to shoot and then tried to run into the back office. At that time, the gunman fired one round, striking the clerk in the lower back. The gunman turned and fled the scene west through the parking lot toward Grossmont High School.
As a precaution, the school was immediately placed into lockdown. Sheriff’s deputies and La Mesa police officers assisted in securing the campus, and conducting a room by room search to ensure the safety of the students. The students were released from the school and the lockdown was lifted at approximately 3:24 p.m.
Officers conducted a search of the surrounding canyons and businesses but were unable to locate the suspect.
The clerk, a 31 year-old male, was transported by medics to an area hospital for a non-life threatening injury. He is expected to be released later today.
Anyone with information on a possible suspect in this case is encouraged to call the El Cajon Police Department at (619) 579-3311. Individuals with information about this case who wish to remain anonymous can call the Crime Stoppers tip line at (888) 580-8477.
