San Diego

Families of 2 Men Plead For Information in Unsolved Valencia Park Shooting

Joel Branch Jr., 49, and Gerald Morris, 48, were shot and killed May 25, 2015, on Branch’s front porch

Two years after two men were shot and killed on Memorial Day weekend in San Diego's Valencia Park, friends and families gathered Thursday in hopes of pushing efforts to find the gunmen who took their lives.

Joel Branch Jr., 49, and Gerald Morris, 48, were shot and killed May 25, 2015 on Branch’s front porch. Investigators said two men walked up to the group on the porch, which included Branch and Morris, and fired at them.

San Diego police are still trying to drum up new leads in the investigation into   Branch and Morris' deaths.

“It’s heartbreaking," Branch's son Josiah said. "The years go past but I know he's always going to be here. He's always going to be looking down on me and I want to make him proud."

Branch was a father of seven. His two teenage sons were present when he was shot and killed that night.

A third man was injured.

Those gathered in front of Branch's home Thursday carried pictures and information about both victims to pass around the neighborhood. At their side, were several San Diego police officers.

“So we are just asking if someone knows something, that you would just reach out and touch us. Call the police department--you can remain anonymous. Just give a statement, let some information out ," said Morris' brother, Anthony Hicks.

Crimestoppers is offering a $1000 reward for the arrest and capture of those responsible.

Police have little to no description of the suspects, other than they were two armed men on foot.

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